March 16, 2002

Box Score

Bradenton, Fla. - Illinois used 18 hits to score a season-high 19 runs in defeating Northeastern, 19-8, this afternoon in Bradenton, Fla. Illinois improves to 6-1 on the year and 2-0 on its Spring Trip while NU falls to 0-1.

Illinois jumped on the board in the top of the first inning thanks to two Northeastern throwing errors. With one out, T.F. Meagher grounded to the pitcher, who threw the ball away at first, advancing Meagher to third. On the same play, the NU first baseman attempted to throw Meagher out at third but threw the ball into foul territory, allowing Meagher to score.

After Illini starter Justin Olson threw two scoreless innings, Illinois added another in the third. Drew Davidson singled and went to second on an NU error on a pickoff move, then scored on a two-out RBI single from Andy Schutzenhofer to make the score 2-0 in favor of Illinois.

Illinois added more in the fourth inning as Joe Parenti led off with a single, stole second and scored on a single up the middle off the bat of Brandon Cashman. Cashman then stole second and came in when designated hitter Pat Flynn collected the first hit of his career, a double to left-center that made the score 4-0. After catcher Sean Patrick walked, Flynn would score on a throwing error after he and Patrick were safe on a double steal and Patrick came in on a bunt single from Meagher one out later. Schutzenhofer then doubled home Meagher to give Illinois its fifth run of the inning and a 7-0 lead after 3 ? innings of play.

Northeastern got on the board for the first time in the bottom of the fourth when left fielder Ben Beck hit a home run to center off Olson. The Huskies added three more in the fifth to chase Olson, who gave way to Jimmy Conroy. Olson finished his day having thrown 4 2/3 innings and allowing four runs (two earned) on nine hits. He walked two and struck out five.

Illinois added six more in the top of the sixth as Parenti started it off with a two-run single followed by Patrick with an RBI single of his own and a two-run double from Davidson. In the seventh, Schutzenhofer opened with a double to the left field gap and scored on a single from Brett Wicker. Parenti then made it a 16-4 game when he followed with a home run, his second of the year, over the left field wall.

Illinois added its final three in the ninth off a three-run home run by Sean Patrick. Jimmy Conroy (1-0) got the win after throwing 2 1/3 innings of relief, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out two. James Morris, Dave Mazurek and Reilly Smith combined to throw the final two innings, allowing only one run and two hits between them.

After a scheduled day off Sunday, Illinois continues its Spring Trip with a 10:30 am (eastern) game against Dartmouth Monday morning.