Injuries plague Maple Leafs on the diamond

The Maple Leafs' baseball team struggled after getting bitten by the injury bug.

LaSalle-Peru at Geneseo

The Cavaliers put together two big innings to defeat Geneseo 11-3 in the Northern Illinois Big 12 finale between the two teams.

After Geneseo started the game with a 3-0 lead, LaSalle-Peru scored five runs in the third inning and five more runs in the fifth to take a commanding lead at Stone Field on April 19.

Colton Garcia singled, drove in a run and stole a base.

Kyle Wise reached base three times with two walks and a single, and Cole Hartman drove in a run.

Geneseo pitchers allowed four earned runs, but the Leafs’ defense committed six errors in the field.

Geneseo at Lane

The Leafs left Chicago with mixed emotions after playing Lane Tech at Kerry Wood Field.

The Maple Leafs made some memories touring Wrigley Field, but Geneseo couldn’t overcome bad luck on the diamond against Lane Tech falling 10-3 on April 21.

After swinging a hot bat to start the game, Zac Olson suffered a knee injury, deflating the Maple Leafs’ spirits.

Already missing Jaren Brucher with a toe injury, the young Maple Leafs continued to struggle.

Geneseo committed six errors and left nine runners on base in the game.

After Geneseo led 3-2 in the fourth, Lane Tech answered with five runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Olson finished 2-for-2 with a triple and a stolen base, and Wise slugged a pair of singles and brought home a run with a sacrifice fly.

Geneseo at Rochelle

Rochelle’s Johnny Beck pitched a no-hitter and struck out 15 to lead the Hubs passed the Maple Leafs 2-0 on April 23.

Ty Johnson pitched well holding Rochelle to one earned run on four hits with four walks and five strikeouts.

The Leafs only managed a pair of base runners with Garcia drawing a walk and a Geneseo player reached on an error.

Rochelle at Geneseo

The Maple Leafs managed to get the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, but Geneseo had dug too deep a hole against the Hubs falling 6-2 at Stone Field on April 24.

After Geneseo had taken a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third, Rochelle answered with two runs in the fifth inning and three runs in the seventh.

“We had four sophomores out there, but they hustled,” Coach Scott Christensen said. “Hornback made some nice plays. McConnell made a diving effort. Some of these guys are giving it their all.”

The Leafs’ Garcia finished with a single and drove in a run and stole a base.

Jacob McConnell, Wise and Kyle Toone each had a hit.

Autograph Night

The Maple Leafs will host Autograph Night following their game against Galesburg at Stone Field on April 27.

Geneseo players will sign autographs following the varsity game against the Silvers Streaks at 7 p.m.