March 13, 2004

Box Score

Round Rock, Texas - The University of Illinois baseball team came up one run short Saturday, dropping a 2-1 game to Texas State in the bottom of the ninth inning on a rainy day in Texas at the Round Rock College Classic. Illinois falls to 3-6 with the loss while Texas State improves to 10-9 on the season.

Illinois and Texas State played 5 1/2 innings of scoreless baseball, with each pitcher working out of multiple jams, before a solo home run got TSU on the board in the bottom of the sixth.

TSU's single run held up until the top of the ninth. TSU brought closer Dominic Ramos in to pitch, and pinch hitter Trevor Huisinga welcomed him with a double to deep left. That hit may have flustered the reliever who had not yet allowed a run this year, as he proceeded to walk Vince DiMaria and pinch hitter Trevor Frederickson, loading the bases with no one out for Drew Davidson. Davidson grounded into a double play, erasing hope for a big inning but still plating the tying run.

The game went into the bottom of the ninth and Andy Sigerich found himself attempting to get the game to extra innings. But he fell just short. After retiring the first two batters of the inning, Sigerich gave up a double to Jose Rodriguez, hitting in the nine hole, and lead off man Evan Tierce iced the game for the Bobcats with a single up the middle that plated Rodriguez with the winning run.

Illinois had its chances early in the ballgame against TSU starter Patrick Colgan, stranding runners in scoring position in the first, second, third and fifth innings. In total Illinois left 12 runners on base in a problem that has plagued the Illini the last few games.

Sigerich suffered the loss, falling to 0-1 on the year, after allowing one run on two hits in 1 2/3 innings of work. Conroy allowed one run on eight hits in seven innings of work. He struck out five and did not walk a batter after opening the game with five innings of shutout ball.

Ramos got the win, improving to 2-0 on the year after allowing one run on one hit and two walks in one inning of work. Bobcats starter Patrick Colgan threw six innings of shutout ball, allowing seven hits while walking two and striking out seven before being pulled to start the seventh.

Illinois finishes up action at the 2004 Round Rock College Classic Sunday with a single game against Notre Dame. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m.