April 9, 2004

Box Score

Champaign, Ill. - The University of Illinois baseball team squandered a pair of prime scoring opportunities as the team fell 4-2 to Michigan State in game one of its four-game weekend series with the Spartans in front of 714 fans at Illinois Field. The loss drops Illinois to 8-15 overall and 1-4 in Conference play while MSU improves to 15-10 overall and 5-0 in the Big Ten.

Illinois tried to put the pressure on MSU starter Bryan Gale right away in the first, as Trevor Huisinga drew a lead-off walk, stole second and came home with the game's first run when Chad Frk singled him home with one out.

That 1-0 lead held until the top half of the fourth inning when MSU catcher Erik Morris tagged a one-out, two run home run over the right field wall to give the Spartans a 2-1 lead.

Illinois tied the game back at two in the bottom of the fifth when designated hitter Ryan Rogowski took Gale deep to right for his first career home run.

But MSU responded right away in the top half of the sixth, collecting a single run on a sac fly after Oliver Wolcott reached on a lead-off double to reclaim the lead at 3-2. MSU added insurance in the eighth, plating a single run off a pair of stolen bases and a fielding error to stretch the lead to 4-2.

Illinois wasted a pair of prime chance for a game-winning rallies. The first came in the bottom of the fourth when Chad Frk and Eric Eymann reached to lead off the inning, but the next three hitters were unable to advance them past second as Gale was able to retire the side in order. In the seventh, Illinois used a MSU throwing error to load the bases with two out, but still couldn't get the tying run across.

Gale got the win, improving to 2-1 on the year after allowing two runs in nine complete innings of work. He walked four and struck out three. Ziemba suffered the loss, falling to 1-4 on the year after allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits in nine innings of work. He struck out three and did not walk a batter.

Illinois and Michigan State continue their series with a doubleheader beginning Saturday at 4:05 p.m. First pitch for Sunday's series finale is set for 1:05 p.m.