MAUSTON, Wis. – Grinnell College's baseball victory over Beloit College Friday night was not only big in terms of the Midwest Conference standings, but also served of historic nature.
 
The Pioneers defeated the Buccaneers 5-1 in the MWC Crossover, marking Grinnell's first win over Beloit in six meetings during the modern era. The Pioneers' last victory over Beloit came more than 120 years ago, a 14-13 decision in 1896.
 
Sam LaMotte '20 stymied Beloit on the mound, scattering five hits and fanning seven batters in 8-2/3 innings to earn the pitching win and improve to 3-2.
 
Offensively, Carson Gampell '20 had two hits, including a double. Also doubling were Brad Weaver '18 and Julian Cabrera '19.
 
Niko Takayesu '17 drew a walk in the game to boost his season total to 27, which ranks fifth in Pioneer history. Andrew Shults '19 added his eighth sacrifice hit of the season, which is sixth all-time at Grinnell.
 
Grinnell broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning when Ravi Levens '19 scored on a wild pitch and Cabrera hit a two-run double to left-center, plating Shults and Takayesu.
 
The Pioneers added another run in the sixth on Benjamin Wong's '18 RBI single through the right side to score Levens.
 
Beloit scored its lone run in the ninth inning.
 
Grinnell improved to 10-3 in the MWC and 16-10 overall, while Beloit fell to 4-4-1 in the league and 9-16-1 overall.
 
The Pioneers taken on Ripon College at 11 a.m. Saturday.