Mattoon, Ill. - Eastbound and down was the Illinois Central College baseball team (6-14, 2-2), as they headed to the Laker Baseball Field to take on the Lake Land Lakers in some non-conference action. The Cougars got off to a good start, holding the Lakers scoreless through the third inning, but nine runs in the fourth and fifth innings ultimately decided the game, as Lake Land took a 12-2 victory. 

LAKE LAND LAKERS 12, ICC COUGARS 2
Aidan Leemans held things down on the mound to start the game, limiting the Lakers to three hits and no runs through three innings of work. Lake Land, however, would be the first team to the scoreboard, getting a bases-loaded walk for a 1-0 lead. The walk was followed by a hit by pitch, and with the bases still loaded, a grand slam, putting the hosts ahead 5-0 after four innings. 

The Cougars would answer with a run of their own, with Nick Piazza hustling home on a wild pitch to get within 5-1. Alas, Lake Land went right to work again in the fifth, getting an RBI double, RBI hit by pitch, passed ball, and sacrifice fly to swell the lead to 9-1 after five. 

After ICC was held scoreless in the top of the sixth, Lake Land propelled to a 11-1 lead by way of an RBI double and RBI single. 

The Cougar bats weren't done just yet, when Jake Stewart, after taking just one pitch, lined a double into right field, scoring Blake Norton for ICC's second run of the game, capping the offensive efforts. 

Lake Land's last run of the game would end the game on that pitch, with a Cougar bases-loaded balk completing the 12-2 final score. 

HITTING STATS
Ashton Horchem (CF) | 1 double, 1 walk, 1 stolen base
Nick Piazza (2B) | 1 single, 1 stolen base
Blake Norton (DH) | 2 singles, 2 walks
Jake Stewart (LF) | 1 single, 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 hit by pitch, 1 stolen base
Tom Verran (1B) | 1 single, 1 hit by pitch
Elliot Seckman (RF) | 1 single, 1 walk, 1 stolen base

PITCHING STATS
Aidan Leemans | 3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 SO
Alec Bulak | 1 IP
Billy Mini | 1 IP, 0 BB
Ian McGhiey | 1.2 IP, 2 SO
Chase Martin | 2 batters faced, 0 ER

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
@ Vincennes Trailblazers (9-11, 3-1)
Saturday, March 16th - 1:00 PM / 4:00 PM
Jerry Blemker Field - Vincennes, Indiana
Live Stats (GameChanger)