WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - The University of Chicago baseball team went 1-1 on March 19 in Florida, defeating Hope College 15-2 but falling to Eastern Connecticut State 8-3. The Maroons (9-3) dominated Hope with 14 hits for their third straight win. However, UChicago (10-4) couldn't overcome a late rally from Eastern Connecticut, despite solid pitching from Drew Bryan.

vs Hope
UChicago took control of the game in the first inning, scoring three runs. Erik Rindner started the scoring with an RBI single, followed by a two-RBI double from Max Wiesner to give the Maroons a 3-0 lead. The offense continued to click throughout the game, with a total of 15 runs scored on 14 hits.

Jackson Bailey (2-0) earned the win on the mound for the Maroons, pitching seven solid innings. He allowed just two runs on three hits while striking out four and walking five. Bailey's dominant performance kept Hope (5-10) at bay, as he worked efficiently and managed to limit the Hope offense to minimal opportunities.

The Maroons extended their lead with a strong showing in the fourth and fifth innings, scoring seven runs combined. Rindner led the charge with a standout performance, finishing the game with three hits and four RBIs, including a two-RBI single in the fifth inning that put the game out of reach. Braden Jirovec also had a multi-hit game, scoring three times and driving in one run.

Hope managed to get on the board in the third, but that would be the extent of their offense. The rest of the game was all UChicago, as they added four more runs in the seventh inning, highlighted by RBI singles from Brady Miller, Jack Sharp, and Jirovec.

Box Score: 

• UChicago (9-3): 15 runs, 14 hits, 0 errors
• Hope College (5-10): 2 runs, 3 hits, 6 errors

Winning Pitcher: Jackson Bailey (2-0)
Losing Pitcher: M. Belmore (2-3)
 
vs Eastern Connecticut State
Chicago got on the scoreboard first in the second inning when Jack Goldstein doubled to left field, bringing home Michael Gladden for a 1-0 lead. However, Eastern Connecticut responded in the third.

The Warriors continued their offensive onslaught in the fourth and fifth innings. Despite being down by four runs, the Maroons battled back in the seventh inning. Braden Jirovec's single scored Jack Sharp, followed by Erik Rindner's sacrifice fly, which scored Richard Lu, narrowing the gap to 5-3.

But the late-game scores came from Eastern Connecticut, who added three more insurance runs in the eighth and ninth innings.

For Chicago, Bryan (1-2) took the loss after allowing five runs on six hits over six innings. He struck out 10 batters but it wasn't enough for the Maroons. Uday Narottam and Kason Pelz each pitched in relief, allowing a combined three earned runs.

The Maroons were limited to eight hits in the game, with Jirovec and Richard Lu each having a multi-hit performance. Goldstein also added a double and an RBI, but the team struggled to generate consistent offense after the early runs.

Box Score: 

• UChicago (10-4): 3 runs, 8 hits, 2 errors
• Eastern Connecticut State (8-4): 8 runs, 9 hits, 2 errors

Winning Pitcher: M. Furgalack (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Drew Bryan (1-2)

Chicago will look to bounce back in their next matchup, as they continue their Florida road trip tomorrow against Carleton at 7 p.m. EST.