Millikin University’s baseball team marked the five-year anniversary of its historic 2021 season with a victory over Elmhurst on March 29. The Big Blue won the game 9–2 after celebrating past achievements and honoring standout player Caleb Buehrle for his recent accolades.
The commemoration highlighted Millikin’s first College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament Championship in 2021, an NCAA Regional appearance at Workman Family Baseball Field, and a school-record of 31 wins. Caleb Buehrle was recognized for being named Second Team All-American, CCIW Pitcher of the Year, and Region Pitcher of the Year in 2024.
During the game against Elmhurst, Millikin’s offense surged in the third inning with six runs. Easton Steck started with a single to right field before Anderson Decker reached base on an error. Pete Britton loaded the bases with another single. Ty Cribbett was hit by a pitch to bring home Steck, followed by Kolby Koslofski’s line drive that scored Britton and Decker. Sam Bushur added a sacrifice fly to center field for another run, while Mick Niebrugge capped off the inning driving in two more runs.
Elmhurst responded in the sixth inning by scoring two runs but could not close the gap further. Koslofski continued his strong performance at bat later in the game, driving home Cribbett with a double down the left-field line. Bushur then hit a home run that brought Koslofski home as well.
Brayden Saling started on the mound for Millikin, pitching seven innings while allowing seven hits and two runs along with six strikeouts. Nolan Reiman finished out pitching duties from the eighth inning onward, allowing one hit and striking out one batter.
Kolby Koslofski led offensively going two-for-five with three runs batted in (RBIs). Carder Reich and Pete Britton also collected two hits each as Millikin secured its win ahead of their next matchup against North Central College scheduled for Wednesday at home.
