CRESTWOOD, IL - No. 25 Andrew and No. 9 Sandburg faced off in a highly-anticipated matchup on Wednesday morning at Standard Bank Stadium. Andrew (5-0) was able to remain unbeaten on the year, scoring two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, on their way to a 3-2 win over Sandburg.

Senior Jake Plastiak, a Wichita State commit, ignited the Andrew Thunderbolts rally in the bottom of the fifth inning with a ringing triple into the right-center field gap. After Scott Youngbrandt got hit by a pitch, Kevin Bushnell stepped to the plate and tied the game at two, scoring Plastiak on a double down the right field line. Donovan Nanfeldt, a Indiana University-Southeast commit, grounded out one batter later scoring the go-ahead and ultimately the winning run.

Right-handed pitcher, Scott Youngbrandt, got the start and win on the mound for Andrew. The senior, St. Louis commit, went five innings, scattered five hits, two runs and struck out eight. Youngbrandt, who ran his fastball up to 90 mph in the first inning, settled in at 87-88 mph and used a steady four-pitch mix throughout. Right-handed pitcher J.D. Knight secured the win with a two-inning save for Andrew, striking out two in the process.

Sandburg (2-2) scored one run in the first inning and another in the fourth. Illinois-Chicago commit, Ryan Hampe, doubled and scored in the first inning. He was at it again in the fourth, singling and scoring on a Andrew Tenison double to deep center field.

Bushnell finished 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI to lead the way for Andrew. Plastiak also had a big day for the Thunderbolts going 2-for-3 with two triples and two runs scored.

Hampe and Tenison both collected two hits and a double apiece to pace the Sandburg offense.  

For more in-depth notes from the game - and all other games that we cover - visit the Illinois Scout Blog later.

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