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CHICAGO - The No. 25 University of Chicago baseball team used a flurry of early runs and a balanced offensive attack to cruise past Illinois Tech, 11-3, under the lights at Rate Field on Monday night. With the win, the Maroons improved to 24-11 on the season.

Junior outfielder Michael Gladden led the charge, going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and a towering three-run home run in the fourth inning that broke the game open. UChicago plated runs in four of the first six innings, including a four-run sixth that put the contest out of reach.

Jackson Slipock added two hits and three RBIs, including a two-run single in the opening frame. Juniors Josh Peyton and Brady Miller chipped in an RBI apiece, while Jackson Berner drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in another run.

On the mound, right-hander John Butka (1-3) earned his first win of the season, tossing three solid innings and allowing just one earned run. The Maroon bullpen was equally effective, combining for six innings of two-run ball while striking out nine. Relievers Mike Sosna and Grant Tenuta were especially dominant, allowing no runs over the final three innings with seven strikeouts between them.

Illinois Tech (10-21) struggled to find momentum against UChicago's deep pitching staff. The Scarlet Hawks' lone highlight came in the fifth on a solo home run. 

UChicago's offense tallied 11 hits on the night and swiped five bases, showing aggression on the basepaths. The Maroons also capitalized on three Illinois Tech errors and a costly balk that allowed a run to score in the sixth.

The Maroons will look to keep their momentum going as they start another conference homestand later this week against NYU.