April 2, 2004

Box Score

Columbus, Ohio - The University of Illinois baseball team dropped its Big Ten Conference opener, 5-1, to Ohio State this evening, as OSU starter Josh Newman struck out a career-high 14 at Bill Davis Stadium. The loss drops Illinois to 6-11 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten, while OSU improves to 8-10 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten.

After a scoreless two innings thrown by starters Joe Ziemba and Josh Newman, Chris Robinson gave Illinois the first lead of the game when he smashed a solo home run, his first of the year, over the right field wall.

But OSU came right back in the bottom of the third, capitalizing on a pair of Illinois errors. With one out, Drew Anderson singled and went to second on a throwing error from Eric Eymann. Jacob Howell followed with a single that put runners on first and third, and OSU tied the game one out later when Jedidiah Stephen doubled to right. Paul Farinacci followed Stephen with a double of his own, and after Howell scored, Stephen appeared to be gunned down at the plate by Illini left fielder Drew Davidson. However, third baseman Chad Frk, waiting for the relay from Davidson, was called for interference for getting in Stephen's way down the base path, and the run counted to give OSU a 3-1 lead.

OSU added a pair in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run triple off the bat of Drew Anderson to take a 5-1 lead.

OSU starter Josh Newman was dominant, striking out a career-high 14 Illini in nine innings of work to improve to 4-3 on the year. He allowed only one run on seven hits and he did not walk a batter. He struck out at least two Illini in each of the first five innings.

Ziemba falls to 1-3 on the year after allowing five runs (two earned) in seven innings of work. He struck out seven and walked two.

Offensively, Illinois had only seven hits. Robinson's home run and a second inning double from Eymann were the only extra base hits for the Illini, and Chad Frk's ninth inning single extended his career-high hitting streak to 12 games.

Illinois and Ohio State continue their four-game series with a doubleheader beginning at 4:05 p.m. eastern time Saturday. The series finale is scheduled for a 1:05 p.m. first pitch Sunday.