March 29, 2005

Box Score

Champaign, Ill. - Illinois came back from an early 4-1 deficit, using a four-run seventh inning to defeat Indiana State 8-4 in the Illini's home opener. Illinois improves to 10-5-1 as it looks ahead to the Big Ten season-opener with Ohio State this weekend.

Lefthander James Morris didn't allow a hit in 5 1/3 innings of shutout relief, striking out four and walking one while facing only two more batters than the minimum. Second baseman J.R. Kyes went 3-for-5 with a double and a run, and first baseman Dusty Bensko was 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI.

Centerfielder Ryan Rogowski started the seventh inning with a one-out base hit and moved to third on catcher Chris Robinson's single. Robinson moved to second on the throw to third and Bensko was walked intentionally to load the bases. Leftfielder Drew Davidson then drove in Rogowski and Robinson with a single to center and moved to second as Bensko was thrown out at third base. Third baseman Chad Frk walked and designated hitter Mike Rohde singled to left to drive in Davidson. Rightfielder Trevor Huisinga then lined a single down the left-field line to score Frk and give the Illini an 8-4 lead.

Indiana State scored a run in the top of the first, but the Illini fought back with a run of their own when centerfielder Ryan Rogowski reached on a three-base error after the rightfielder misplayed a windblown fly ball. Bensko drove him in with a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game 1-1.

After starter Matt Whitmore gave up three more Sycamore runs in the third and was replaced by Morris, Illinois fought back with a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth. Bensko homered to left-center in the fourth, his fifth bomb of the year, to cut the Indiana State lead to 4-2. Shortstop Toby Gardenhire singled to lead off the fifth and moved to second on Kyes' base hit. Rogowski sacrificed the runners to second and third and Gardenhire scored on a balk by Sycamore pitcher Ryan Tatusko. Robinson then drove in Kyes with a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game 4-4.

The Illini begin the Big Ten season Friday at 4:05 against Ohio State at Illinois Field. The teams play a doubleheader Saturday at 12:05 p.m. and finish the series Sunday at 1:05.