JOLIET, Ill. -- Jake Klepacz and Brant Singler each authored multiple hits and the University of St. Francis baseball team recorded its second win in as many days with its 8-4 victory over visiting Indiana University Kokomo on Wednesday afternoon at Slammers Stadium.  The win came less than 24 hours after the Saints defeated NCAA Division II Roosevelt University Tuesday afternoon by a 9-6 count.

A four-run first inning sparked the win with Singler taking credit for the only RBI of the frame with a two-out single to plate Cliff Vickers.  The first three runs were scored by USF's top of the order after an error, three wild pitches and a double steal resulted in Max Montgomery, Klepacz and Drew Dant all touching the plate.

Three innings later, USF (3-5) began to slowly extend its lead, scoring one run in each of the fourth through seventh innings.  Montgomery opened the scoring with a run batted in on a fielder's choice in the fourth before a towering solo home run off the bat of Klepacz accounted for USF's run in the fifth.  A RBI triple from Ethan Fleming scored Singler in the sixth, with the latter following with a RBI single to left field in the seventh to push pinch runner Jack Salzeider across the plate for St. Francis' final tally.

Indiana Kokomo (4-12) got the scoring started for the game in its initial at-bat when two runs crossed the plate in the top of the first inning after an infield hit was legged out to drive home runners from second and third base.  The Cougars were later the benefactors of two more runs in the eighth inning that were a result of three free passes and a bunt single. 

Head Coach Brian Michalak made the decision to call in Cristopher Villwock from the pen with the bases loaded to calm the Cougar scoring threat and he retired the next three batters in order with three straight flyouts to center field.

Eleven USF pitchers combined on the 8-4 victory with none seeing more than one inning of work.  Villwock, who gained the win, was one of seven pitchers to toss a scoreless frame and just one of two to face the minimum number of batters within his inning of work.  The eleven hurlers combined to allow just four earned runs on the afternoon, despite struggling with their command by allowing 12 free passes (eight walks, four hit batsmen) in the contest.

Singler finished the day going a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBIs, two runs scored and two walks.  Vickers and Mitchell Thomas also coaxed multiple walks on the day as part of 11 total for St. Francis hitters.

Up Next
The Saints will have three days of rest before taking the field again when they travel to Lawrenceville, Ga. to take on NAIA Preseason No. 3-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College as part of a four-day road trip.  The game will take place at 2 pm CST at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.