April 7, 2000

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Illinois baseball took game one from Michigan, 9-4, this evening at Illinois Field behind a complete game effort from Illini ace Jason Anderson. Illinois improves to 21-8/8-1 in conference while Michigan falls to 9-16-1 and 2-7 in the Big Ten. Illini starter Jason Anderson improves to 6-1 on the year and 3-0 in conference after allowing only two earned runs in nine innings while striking out 11.

"Jason Anderson is very competitive," Illini Head Coach Itch Jones said. "We know he is going to give up seven to nine innings each time out and that gives the offense confidence."

The offense jumped to a 2-0 lead after the first inning and 4-0 lead after three. Chris Basak led off the game with a double, then promptly scored when Brady Ballard, hitting in the second slot, tripled. Ballard would later come home on a Rob Fischer single, the first of three RBI Fischer would collect on the evening.

Illinois scored again in the second when a Basak double plated Joe Parenti, and in the third when a Fischer double brought home Craig Marquie, who had tripled to lead off the game.

Michigan got two runs in the fourth, both unearned. David Parrish doubled in both Kevin Quinn and Scott Tousa after an Illini error in the outfield. The Wolverines got two more the in sixth off Anderson, but he would retire the side in order six out of nine innings, including the seventh and eighth. His 11 strikeouts were a season high and the second highest total of his career. He is now 21-3 in his Illini career and 11-1 in his career as a Big Ten starter.

"I kept the ball down and I threw a lot of strikes today," Anderson said.

After scoring two in the bottom of the fourth to take a 6-4 lead, Illinois added three insurance runs in the ninth, one on a Chris Basak single that plated Joe Parenti and two on a Ballard double that scored pinch hitter Luke Simmons and Basak.

Wolverine starter Nick Alexander (1-1) suffered the loss. Illinois and Michigan resume their four-game series tomorrow afternoon at Illinois Field. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.