March 10, 2000
Box Score
Jacksonville, Fla. - The University of Illinois baseball team escaped with a
9-8 win over Duquesne this evening on the campus of the University of North
Florida. It took 10 innings, but Illinois in the end was able to improve its
record to 6-1 overall and 1-0 on its Spring Trip.
Illinois never led in the game until the game-winning run. The Illini fell
behind 2-0 in the top of the first inning and would come back to tie the
game three times but never gain the lead, mostly a result of leaving 19 men
on base, including leaving the bases loaded five separate times.
Illinois tied the game for the final time at 7-7 in the bottom of the eighth
inning. Matt Vorwald would go on to retire the Dukes in order in the top of
the ninth, allowing a golden opportunity for Illinois to win the game in the
bottom of the ninth. Illinois would load the bases in the bottom of the
ninth only to see its last two batters strike out and fly out to end the
scoring threat and send the game to extra innings.
Duquesne scored once in the top of the tenth after Illini reliever Derek
Throneburg hit the lead off batter, who would go on to score on a base hit
two batters later. Andy Dickinson, who came in in relief of Throneburg and
Ryan Kvasnicka, retired the final two batters with an infield fly and
strikeout to give Illinois its opportunity.
Brady Ballard led off the bottom of the tenth with a long fly ball to the
centerfield wall. Jeff Gertz then picked up a one-out single, and Mitch
Walk, who pinch ran for Gertz, quickly stole second to give Joe Parenti and
Creston Whitaker a shot with the tying run in scoring position. Parenti
would strikeout, but Whitaker laced a double to center, scoring Walk. Greg
Belcher followed Whitaker with a single to left, his first collegiate hit
that both kept the rally alive and moved Whitaker to third. With the game on
the line, senior All-American D.J. Svihlik sent a single to right to score
Whitaker and end the game.
Dickinson (2-0) earned the win, while Dukes reliever Jim Popp suffered the
loss.
Illinois faces St. Johns tomorrow at 11 a.m. central time. Illini ace Jason
Anderson is scheduled to be on the mound.
