ELGIN, Ill. --- A wild pitch with the bases loaded in the ninth inning enabled Judson University to open a three-game series against the University of St. Francis baseball team with a 3-2 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory on Friday afternoon.

The Eagles (7-19, 4-9 CCAC) opened the final inning with a walk and a single followed by an intentional walk before the game-winning run came in on the wild pitch.

Judson had taken an initial 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning before the Fighting Saints (10-23, 5-7) pieced together single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to knot the score at two-all. 

USF's first run came around to score in the only inning in which the Saints were able to produce multiple hits.  Brayan Hidalgo opened the fifth inning with a single before being sacrificed over to second base by Nate Maliska.  Jake LaSota then brought Hidalgo home on a single to centerfield.

In the sixth inning, St. Francis took advantage of a one-out error to put Eric Maffie on base.  He then stole second base before coming around to score on Josh Kirnbauer's single to rightfield.

The Saints would also have a scoring opportunity in the seventh inning when Maliska singled.  Pinch runner Max Montgomery went to second on a sacrifice, but a groundout and a lineout ended the threat.

Mack Malczewski had another solid outing for the Saints.  He went the first 6 2/3 innings, allowing just one earned run, while striking out three batters.
 
Notes: LaSota accounted for two of USF's six hits in the contest … The two teams wrap up the series with a doubleheader on Saturday at Duly Health and Care Field beginning at 1 pm.    

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