April 29, 2001

Box Score

Ann Arbor, Mich. - The University of Illinois baseball team (23-25/10-13) used a complete game four-hitter from Matt Vorwald to earn a 5-1 win over Michigan (22-18/8-8) this afternoon at Ray Fisher Stadium on the campus of the University of Michigan to ensure a series split and put Illinois into sixth place in the Big Ten.

Vorwald (4-3) threw nine complete innings for the first time in his career. The Freeport, Ill., native allowed one run on four hits while walking two. He struck out eight, tying a career high.

In the meantime the Illini offense got three runs off of Michigan starter Rich Hill, who fell to 2-4 on the year with the loss. Illinois got on the board right away in the first inning when, with two outs, Illinois strung together back-to-back doubles from Andy Schutzenhofer and Rob Fischer.

Illinois added two more in the fourth inning. With one out, Brian Raymond, Vince DiMaria and Ryan Lawrence strung together three-consecutive singles to load the bases for Brady Ballard, who drew a walk to plate Raymond with what would prove to be the winning run. DiMaria then came home on a triple steal when T.F. Meagher attempted to suicide squeeze on a pitch well outside that got by the Michigan catcher.

After Michigan put one on the board in the seventh, Illinois got insurance in the eighth when DiMaria led off with a double down the left field line. He went home on a Ballard double and Ballard came home when he attempted to steal third and the catcher threw the ball into the outfield.

With the win combined with a Northwestern loss to Iowa, Illinois moves back into sixth place in the Big Ten, giving the Illini the final spot in the Big Ten Tournament field if the season ended today. Illinois returns to action Wednesday, hosting Southern Illinois at 6 p.m. Illinois and SIU will finish their suspended game first and then play the regularly-scheduled nine-inning game at the conclusion of the game that is currently tied 6-6 after eight innings.