The Will County CrackerJacks participated in an MCL game for the first time since last Friday morning on a piping hot Independence Day at Wayne King, Jr. Field in Joliet, Ill.

Originally scheduled for 7 p.m. at Brennan Field, Wednesday's game between the CrackerJacks and Lincolns was moved to Joliet as a result of Friday night's storms in Romeoville.

The starting pitchers for each club took command of the game from the get-go.  For the Lincolns, right-hander Lee Weld held the CrackerJacks to just two hits through the first five innings, while Will County's Jack Rogalla blanked the Lincolns on just four hits through five frames.

The CrackerJacks and Lincolns loaded the bases in the bottom of the third and top of the fourth innings, respectively, but were unable to push a run across the board.

In the top of the sixth, the Lincolns' Chris Hipchen led off with a double down the left field line and was moved over to third base courtesy of a fly ball to deep right field off the bat of Steve Kedroski.  Kenny Mahala then drove in Hipchen, the game's first run, with an RBI groundout.  The inning continued after Ashton Perritt reached on an infield single and stole second base.  But Rogalla was able to get Sam Hammer to ground out to Daniel Nevares to end the inning.

Eric Esquilin reached third base for Will County with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning but the 'Jacks were unable to score him and tie the game.

Carter Smith came on in relief for Rogalla in the seventh frame.  Rogalla tied his season-high with nine strikeouts in his six strong innings of work.

In the eighth, the Lincolns loaded the bases with two outs against Smith and the new CrackerJack Ryan Dragoon.  Again, Hammer stepped to the plate with an RBI chance.  This time, Hammer came through for his club, drawing a walk to give Illinois a 2-0 advantage.  Dave Geiger came on in relief for Dragoon and forced an inning-ending groundout to minimize the damage.

Daniel Nevares advanced to third base with only one away for the CrackerJacks in the bottom of the eighth inning but was unable to score.

But in the bottom of the ninth, the CrackerJacks rallied.  Josh DeGraaf came on to close the game for Illinois.  With two outs in the inning, the CrackerJacks put men at second and third with Michael Vilardo at the plate.  DeGraaf promptly balked home a run to make it a 2-1 game and then surrendered the lead when Vilardo singled home Case Munson to tie the game.

Sam Welvaert entered the game for the Lincolns and Vilardo then stole second base to get into scoring position.  After a long battle, Welvaert struck out Daniel Nevares to send the game into extra innings.

With Kenny Mahala on first base for the Lincolns with two outs in the 10th, Hammer came through yet again for his team, lining a double to left field to put Illinois in front 3-2.  A single from Zach Yesko scored Hammer to put the Lincolns up 4-2.

Welvaert threw a scoreless 10th to shut the door and send the Lincolns to a 4-2 win and league-best 15-9 record.  He earned the win, while Geiger took the loss for Will County.  

The CrackerJacks dropped to 14-9, a half-game back of Illinois for first place in the Midwest Collegiate League South Divison.  Today's loss marked their third in a row.  The Lincolns are now a perfect 3-0 against the CrackerJacks in 2012.

Will County next takes the field tomorrow (July 5) in a doubleheader against the Rockford Foresters at Wayne King, Jr. Field in Joliet, Ill.  First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.