Feb. 24, 2008

Box Score

EDINBURG, Texas - Illinois wrapped up the Al Ogletree Classic with an impressive 1-0 shutout against Lamar. Junior starter Aaron Martin continued Illinois' string of quality pitching performances, earning the win with five scoreless innings, and junior Ben Reeser closed out the final four innings to pick up his first career save. The 2-1 start to the season is the Illini's best since a similar start to the 2005 season.

"This is the best start on the mound that I can remember in my 18 years at Illinois," Illini coach Dan Hartleb said. "Ben Reeser was particularly sharp today."

After loading the bases in the first by allowing two singles and hitting a batter, Martin worked out of the jam by striking out Cardinal first baseman Keith Towne to end the inning.

With one out and runners on the corners in the top of the fifth, the Illini (2-1) worked out of another jam when catcher Aaron Johnson threw out his second base stealer of the year for the second out of the inning. The next Lamar (1-2) hitter chopped a grounder to first baseman Ryan Hastings, who tossed it to Martin to end the inning.

The Illini capitalized on that momentum to manufacture a run in the bottom of the frame. With one out, center fielder Kyle Hudson singled to left and stole second. Left fielder Casey McMurray hit a deep fly ball to left field, allowing Hudson to advance to third. Shortstop Brandon Wikoff then hit a chopper up the middle and raced down the line to beat the shortstop's throw and plate Hudson, putting the Illini on the board.

Reeser relieved Martin in the top of the sixth and displayed excellent efficiency in his season debut. He retired the side in the sixth on only eight pitches, throwing seven for strikes. He returned right where he left off in the top of the seventh, sitting down all three Cardinals on nine total pitches.

In the eighth, Reeser shut down the Cardinals for a third time. After the leadoff hitter reached on an error, Johnson gunned down his second base stealer of the game and third of the year. A groundout and a strikeout later, Reeser still hadn't given up a hit.

Reeser took to the mound again in the top of the ninth, looking for the extremely rare four-inning save. The inning began with a groundout to Wikoff followed by another Reeser strikeout. After catcher Jeff Vickers singled to right center, Reeser struck out Towne, sealing the Illini's first shutout victory since a 3-0 win over Indiana on May 12, 2007.

Reeser finished his outing allowing just two base runners in four innings and striking out five, which ties his career high set against Northern Iowa on March 18, 2006. It also marked a career-long relief stint for the Illini junior.

The Orange and Blue displayed their patience and speed over the weekend, picking 13 walks and 8-of-9 stolen bases for the tournament.

"Even without great offense, we found a way to win the game," Hartleb said. "I was pleased that we faced good pitching and won the game on hustle."

Illinois pitchers gave up just five earned runs in 26 2/3 innings, an ERA of 1.69, and four hurlers didn't allow an earned run on the weekend.

Up Next: Illinois returns to the state of Texas next weekend for the 2008 Quala-T Imprints Baylor Classic in Waco. Illinois opens the tournament Friday, Feb. 29, at 6:30 p.m. against the host Bears.