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By Billy Cruz
Assistant Sports Editor

The men’s baseball team has begun their 2002 baseball campaign, winning six of their first eight ball games as of press time. The Eagles, who are currently ranked # 2 in the nation according to a coach’s preseason poll, have been put to the test early in the year, competing against two other teams that are also nationally ranked.

The Eagles opened the season at the MetroDome in Minneapolis, MN on Feb. 28. IVCC split their doubleheader with seventh ranked Iowa Central Community College, dropping the first game 7-6. Billy Terry was tagged with the loss on the mound.

The Eagles bounced back and captured the second game in a big way, dominating the Iowa-based team 13-3 behind a strong pitching performance from sophomore Nathan Miller.

However, in game two, IVCC led 1-0 after three innings of play, but Forest Park scored seven runs in the fourth frame, dropping the Eagles 7-1. Miller was handed his first loss of the season.

The Eagles traveled to Elgin on March 14 and swept a doubleheader from the hosts, winning 1-0 and 8-3. Terry improved his record to 2-1 on the season with his win in the opener, while teammate Tanner Freeman notched the victory in the second game in relief of starter Matt Muilenburg.

On March 17 IVCC continued their winning ways, sweeping their second doubleheader in four days, defeating Madison Area Technical College from Wisconsin 12-5 and 8-0. In the first game of the double dip, the Eagles’ Ned Schauff recorded the win on the mound in relief of Brock Keffer.

IVCC pounded the M.A.T.C. pitching staff for 15 hits, including two hits a piece from IVCC’s Ben Albury, Billy Corrigan, Brad Dutton, Dave Hardman, Jim Sanew, and Ryan Wagner. In game two, Miller improved to 2-1 on the year with his five scoreless innings on the mound.

IVCC took their four game winning streak into their home opener on March 19, played at press time, before heading out to Arizona for their Spring Trip on March 20-28.