May 19, 2000

Box Score

Minneapolis, Minn. - The University of Illinois baseball team improved to 2-0 in the 2000 Big Ten Baseball Tournament by defeating Penn State, 5-3, in a winners bracket game this afternoon. Illini starter Andy Dickinson (8-2) threw a complete game, holding Penn State's offense, ranked first in the country, to only three hits as Illinois improved to 38-20 on the year.

"It was a great ballgame. I wanted to go out there, throw strikes and let the defense do the rest" Dickinson said. "The offense gave me an early lead, and that always helps me stay relaxed on the mound and it keeps the momentum on our side."

Illinois scored two runs in both the first and second innings, as leadoff man Chris Basak and Creston Whitaker, who followed him in the lineup, scored two runs apiece on two hits apiece. Freshman Andy Schutzenhofer, the first-team All-Big Ten first baseman, led Illinois with two RBI.

Illinois added another run off PSU starter Dan McCall (5-1) in the fourth when Rob Fischer lined a two-out single to right center to score Craig Marquie, who had reached on a one-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch.

PSU picked up its only offense in the sixth inning. Big Ten Player of the Year Michael Campo hit a lead off double to center and shortstop John Richmond reached on an error by Illini shortstop Chris Basak. After Dickinson retired Shawn Fagan, PSU catcher Chris Netwall sent a ball over the left field wall for a three-run home run.

Dickinson settled down after that and retired eight in a row before allowing one baserunner in the ninth on an error. After retiring the top three hitters in the Nittany Lion lineup in the eighth, Dickinson faced only four batters in the ninth to pick up the complete game win. It was his third complete game of the year and second in a row.

Illinois, the only undefeated team in the tournament, advances to play the winner of the Penn State-Minnesota elimination game scheduled for 5:00 Friday.