April 3, 2004

Box Score

Columbus, Ohio - The University of Illinois baseball team saw its pitching staff surrender 14 runs on 17 hits as the Illini fell 14-3 to Ohio State in the first game of its Saturday doubleheader on the campus of Ohio State. The loss drops Illinois to 6-12 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten while OSU improves to 9-10 overall and 2-0 in Conference play.

Illinois capitalized on something it didn't get Friday night - bases on balls and OSU errors, to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Trevor Huisinga and Vince DiMaria drew back-to-back walks to lead off the game, and a double play followed that left Huisinga on third with two outs. Chad Frk came up next, hitting a ground ball that was booted by the OSU shortstop that allowed Huisinga to scamper home and give Illinois a 1-0 lead without yet collecting a hit.

However, OSU answered right back in the back of the first inning. Back-to-back singles to lead off the inning and a throwing error by second baseman Ryan Hastings led to a three-run, five hit first for the Buckeyes that gave OSU a 3-1 lead.

Illinois tied the game back up in the top half of the second. OSU starter Mike Madsen continued to struggle with his control, walking Eric Eymann to lead off the inning. Ryan Rogowski, who got the start in left Saturday, followed with a single up the middle, and after Brian Raymond sacrificed the runners to second and third, Chris Robinson slashed a two-run single up the middle to tie the game at three.

OSU reclaimed its lead in the bottom of the second, chasing starter Jimmy Conroy as the Buckeyes plated six runs (all earned) on five hits and an Illinois error to open a 9-3 lead. Ohio State added on to its lead in the bottom of the third, scoring three on reliever Brandon Murphy to open a 12-3 lead. Two more runs in the fifth extended the lead to 14-3.

Conroy fell to 4-2 on the year after struggling through his roughest start of the year. The junior last only 1 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits. He did not walk or strike out a batter. Brandon Murphy (2.2 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 4 ER) and Aaron Saving (2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K) closed out the game for the Illini.

OSU starter Madsen got the win, improving to 4-2 on the year after tossing six innings. He allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits. Madsen walked five and struck out three.

Offensively, Chris Robinson had a pair of RBI and Eric Eymann had a double. Chad Frk went 0-for-3 before being pulled in the fifth inning, which put an end to his career-high 12-game hitting streak.

Illinois and Ohio State conclude their four-game series with a single game Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. eastern time.