April 26, 2000

Box Score

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The University of Illinois baseball team (29-16) completed a season sweep of Indiana State (21-22-1) with an 8-3 win over the Sycamores in Terre Haute Wednesday night. Two weeks ago, Illinois beat INSU 8-2 at Illinois Field.

Illinois fell behind 2-0 early in the game as starter Andy Dickinson gave up solo home runs to Ben Vannater and Chris Hall in the second inning. Dickinson, who was pulled in the second with an injury, threw 1 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Reliever Vince Heinz (1-0) came on in relief of Dickinson and threw 3 1/3 innings, allowed one run on four hits and picked up his first win and decision of the year.

The Illini offense helped Heinz out with three runs in the top of the third, all off Indiana State starter Matt Johnson (1-1). Chris Basak hit a one-out single and, after stealing second, scored on a single up the middle from Andy Schutzenhofer. Luke Simmons would walk one batter later and, after Brady Ballard was hit by a pitch to load the bases, both Schutzenhofer and Simmons would score on a two-out, two-RBI double from Rob Fischer.

The Illini added another three in the fourth to chase Johnson from the game. Catcher Jeff Gertz led off with a single to right and he went to second on a sacrifice bunt from Creston Whitaker. Gertz would then score when Chris Basak went all the way to third when his fly ball to right was dropped by the Sycamore outfielder. With two out and Basak on third, Schutzenhofer was hit by a pitch, and both runners came home when Simmons doubled one batter later.

Illinois added its insurance runs in the sixth, when Schutzenhofer and Simmons both scored on a Rob Fischer single.

Fischer would end the day 3-for-4 with three RBI, while Schutzenhofer went 2-for-2 with three runs scored and an RBI.

Illini relievers Kevin Arft, Joe Sprengard and Matt Vorwald would combine to throw the final four innings of shutout ball to preserve the win for Heinz. Vorwald, who retired the final batter in Illinois' Tuesday win over Illinois State, struck out the side in the Sycamore half of the ninth.

Illinois returns to action this weekend with a four-game home series against Ohio State. Friday's game one is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., Saturday's doubleheader starts at 4:05 p.m. and Sunday's game four is at 1:05 p.m.