Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
 
GRINNELL, IOWA – In a winner-take-all series for the 2026 Midwest Conference baseball title, the Grinnell College Pioneers claimed their first regular season league crown in program history with a 6-5, game one victory over Illinois College on Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Park.
 
With both the Pioneers and Blueboys entering the final weekend at 14-4 in MWC play, the winner of the three-game series between the teams claimed the conference title and hosting duties for next weekend’s MWC Tournament. Grinnell defeated IC 8-7 on Friday to take the first two games of the weekend set.
 
Similar to Friday’s come-from-behind victory, Grinnell (22-16, 16-5 MWC) rallied back in a big way on Saturday. Trailing 5-0 in the fourth inning, the Pioneers tallied one run in the fourth and two runs in the fifth to get back in the game. Grinnell took the lead for good in the seventh, using an IC error and a subsequent two-run single by Wyatt Raymond to pull in front 6-5.
 
Adam Gallegos and Connor Goodson tossed scoreless eighth and ninth innings to preserve the Grinnell victory.
 
Connor Pink led Grinnell offensively as the only Pioneer with multiple hits (2x4, 2 runs, RBI, walk). Gallegos got the win in relief on the mound, pitching 3.0 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit. Goodson got the save after working a three-up, three-down ninth.
 
Logan Fleener led IC offensively, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Chase Schrader took the loss on the mound for the Blueboys in relief.
 
Beloit College has also clinched a spot in the Midwest Conference Tournament, while the fourth team is to be determined. The Pioneers will host the league’s top four teams in Grinnell on Friday and Saturday (May 8-9) with the NCAA automatic bid at stake. The Pioneers are searching for their first NCAA Tournament bid in school history.