Callender Stellar in Complete Game Victory to Earn Split With CCAC-Leading St. Ambrose

Elgin, Ill.     The Judson University Eagles faced St. Ambrose for the first two games of a weekend set. Judson took game two against St. Ambrose 5-3 following a 16-2 loss in game one. 

In the opening game, Judson pushed across their two runs in the middle frames. In the bottom of the fifth, Alec MacLennan hit a double that moved Adam Zeratsky to third base. He later scored on the play thanks to a throwing error. In the sixth, Timothy Ellinger hit an RBI groundout that scored Jordan Babcock. All three of Judson's hits came in those two innings as Zeratsky had a base knock in the fifth, while Giovanni Davila doubled in the sixth to get the Judson rally going. 

Matthew Johnston had some bright spots in the opening innings of his 4.1-inning outing as he allowed six runs (four earned) on five hits while striking out one and walking four. Carter Kowica and Ian Gonzalez ate bullpen innings for the Eagles as Kotwica allowed an earned run (two total) on three hits while Gonzalez allowed six runs on four hits while walking five and stuck out one. 

In game two, Judson was the "road" team as the Eagles scored early and held on late in the contest. The Eagles trailed 1-0 after an inning of play, but Judson bounced back in the second inning. In the top of the second, the Eagle rally began with a Benjamin Nelson single. He then stole second. Following an Alec MacLennan strikeout, Mitchell Stempowski was hit by a pitch. Taylor Abercrombie played in right field for the Eagles and hit a single to right field to load the bases. Judson's leadoff man, Jordan Babcock made the Bees pay with a two-run single. 

The bottom of the order helped manufacture a run in the bottom of the third as Ben Nelson and Alec MacLennan successfully executed a double steal after reaching base via walks. Mitchell Stempowski then reached on a failed fielder's choice attempt that allowed Nelson to score. In the fourth Babcock led off with a single, then Giovanni Davilla went yard to give the Eagles a 5-1 lead. St. Ambrose would score twice in the seventh, but Brandon Callender got the Bees' third hitter to pop out to center to end the ballgame. 

The Eagles' ace pitched splendidly as he allowed no earned runs (three total), on four hits while striking out two in a seven-inning complete-game effort. 

Judson (9-27, 6-15 CCAC) looks to win the rubber match tomorrow at noon from Hoffer Field.