March 9, 2001

Box Score

San Jose, CA - The Illinois baseball team (5-4) dropped a heartbreaker to San Jose State (12-6-1), 3-2, this evening in the first game of a two-game set with the Spartans. Illinois fell behind 2-0 early but battled back to tie the game at two all before giving up the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Illinois starter Justin Olson threw six solid innings, allowing only two runs (one earned) on four hits while walking three and striking out four. He allowed single runs in the first and sixth innings.

Illinois got on the board for the first time in the eighth inning when Greg Belcher and Brady Ballard led off with back to back singles. They advanced to third and second, respectively, on a T.F. Meagher sacrifice bunt, and Belcher came home on a sac fly to left from Andy Schutzenhofer and Ballard scored on a single up the middle from Jeff Gertz.

San Jose State came back in its half of the eighth when Brandon Macchi reached on a hit by pitch. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and and eventually scored on an error by Illini shortstop Andy Hilligoss.

Illinois threatened in the ninth, as Rob Fischer singled his way on with one out and got to third with two out when San Jose State threw the ball away as he attempted to steal second.

Illini reliever Reilly Smith (1-1) suffered the loss despite not allowing an earned run. San Jose State reliever Matt Kauffman (4-2) got the win after throwing xx innings of scoreless relief.

Illinois returns to action tomorrow with the series finale against San Jose State at 3 p.m. central time. Illinois will then travel on to Fresno for the Johnny Quik Classic at Fresno State Monday-Saturday.