April 11, 2003

Box Score

Ann Arbor, Mich. - The University of Illinois baseball team took a 1-0 series lead with a 5-3 win on Friday afternoon against the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Andy Schutzenhofer went 3-for-5 and Dave Mazurek threw a scoreless final 1 2/3 innings for his fifth save of the season as Illinois improved to 16-10 on the year and 4-5 in the Big Ten. Michigan fell to 13-13 on the year and 3-4 in Conference play.

"This was a good win for us," Illini head coach Itch Jones said. "We really needed to get a win and get in the win column in the Big Ten. Ted Rowe pitched a great game for us, Andy Schutzenhofer had three hits and both Brandon Cashman and Dusty Bensko picked up key two-run singles when we needed them. Overall we played well offensively and defensively and did a good job this afternoon."

With no one on and two outs in the top of the second, freshman shortstop Eric Eymann scored the first run of the game, hitting an 0-2 offering from Michigan starter Bobby Garza over the 375 sign in the left field alley for his third home run of the season.

Michigan tied the game up in the bottom of the fourth. Catcher Jake Fox led hit a one-out double down the left field line off Illini starter Ted Rowe and went to third when Brock Koman reached on an error by Illinois third baseman Dusty Bensko in the following at bat. Jordan Cantalamessa followed with a sacrifice fly to center that plated Fox to tie the score at 1-1.

Illinois reclaimed the lead in the top of the fifth on a two-out, two-RBI single off the bat of Dusty Bensko. Schutzenhofer had reached on a one-out error, and Drew Davidson singled to center to put runners on first and second. They both moved up a base on a passed ball, and after Trevor Frederickson grounded out, Bensko hit the first offering from Garza solidly into left to plate both Schutzenhofer and Davidson and give Illinois a 3-1 lead.

The lead grew to 5-1 in the top of the seventh. Reliever Ali Hussain walked Davidson to lead off the inning and, after Frederickson sacrificed him to second, Derek Feldkamp replaced Hussain and promptly walked Bensko and Eymann to lead the bases. Another pitching change brought Tim Leveque into the game, and Brandon Cashman then hit a line drive up the middle that hit off Leveque and careemed into left, scoring Davidson and Bensko for two RBI and a 5-1 lead.

Michigan cut into that lead in the bottom half of the seventh. Brock Koman led off with a single and Jordan Cantalamessa followed with a home run over the left field wall for a 5-3 lead.

Rowe (3-3) earned the win after throwing 7 1/3 innings. He allowed three runs on five hits while walking two and striking out five. Dave Mazurek threw a scoreless final 1 2/3 innings to earn his fifth save of the season and second in Big Ten play. Garza (3-1) suffered the loss. He allowed three runs (one earned) on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings of work.

Illinois and Michigan continue their Big Ten series with a Saturday doubleheader and single nine-inning game Sunday. First pitch for both days is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Game Notes: 1. Senior first baseman Andy Schutzenhofer moved into fifth place on Illinois' career hits list this afternoon. Schutzenhofer now has 259 career hits, four away from fourth place (Dusty Rhodes, 263). 2. Sophomore left fielder Drew Davidson extended his team season-long hitting streak to 11 games with a single to center in the fifth inning. 3. Dave Mazurek earned his fifth save of the season Friday, placing him in a tie for 10th on Illinois' single-season saves list. Mazurek ranks sixth on the same list with seven saves a year ago.