Alton Redbirds Claim Late Victory Over Marquette Catholic

Jack Puent’s pivotal single in the seventh inning secured a 2-1 win in a tightly contested crosstown rivalry game dominated by pitching performances.

Chris Rhodes, Reporter

Mar 18, 2026 9:09 PM Mar 19, 2026 9:58 AM

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ALTON - The Alton Redbirds pushed across the go-ahead run in the final inning to edge Marquette Catholic 2-1 on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in a crosstown rivalry game.

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With the game tied at one in the top of the seventh, Jack Puent delivered the decisive moment, singling to drive in what proved to be the game-winning run.

Pitching dominated throughout the contest on both sides. Alton arms combined for six strikeouts, while Marquette Catholic pitchers recorded four.

Marquette Catholic struck first in the second inning, capitalizing on a passed ball to take a 1-0 lead. Alton answered in the third when Puent grounded out, bringing home a run to even the score at 1-1.

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Blake Rensing picked up the win in relief for Alton, tossing a scoreless inning without allowing a hit. Joe Stephan was charged with the loss for Marquette Catholic after giving up the go-ahead run in two innings of work.

Redbirds head coach Scott Harper said, "We played a pretty solid first game; our pitching was very good & after having a couple chances for a two-out hit in previous innings, we were able to get two in the top of the seventh to plate the winning run. We had big performances last night from seniors Jack Puent and Blake Rensing, both on the mound and at the plate."

Puent also got the start on the mound for Alton, allowing just one unearned run over three innings while striking out two. Parker Wendle added two shutout innings in relief, and Soren Munson closed the door to earn the save.

Offensively, Puent led the way for Alton, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Anderson Kaufmann, Alex Pilger, Soren Munson, Blake Rensing, and Parker Wendle added hits for the Redbirds.

For Marquette Catholic, Logan Sherman, Eli Rodgers, and Jack Rae each recorded a hit. Pilger, Kaufmann,

Alton returns to action Friday at home against Oswego. Marquette plays at Waterloo Gibault on Friday.

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Alton Redbirds Claim Late Victory Over Marquette Catholic

Jack Puent’s pivotal single in the seventh inning secured a 2-1 win in a tightly contested crosstown rivalry game dominated by pitching performances.

Get The Latest News!

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