Illinois Wesleyan’s Martel earns 800th win

Posted on April 20, 2018

Illinois Wesleyan coach Dennis Martel ranks 10th on the active Division III wins last. (Photo courtesy iwsports.com)

By IWU Sports Information

DECATUR – Sophomore Nick Figus’s single knocked in Stephen Billington in the 10th inning to give Illinois Wesleyan a 7-6 win over Millikin in Decatur on Thursday and give Titan head coach Dennis Martel his 800th career victory.

With their sixth straight win, the Titans improved to 17-10 overall and 8-6 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while Millikin slipped to 15-13 overall, 5-9 in the CCIW.

Martel a 31-year career mark of 800-502-3. Heading into the 2018 season, Martel ranked No. 10 among active Division III coaches in total victories and was No. 21 all-time.

Junior Nick Brune (3-2) got the pitching win by working the final 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Illinois Wesleyan hosts Augustana in a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Horenberger Field on Saturday.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…