Box Score Feb. 29, 2008
Box Score
WACO, Texas -
No. 22 Baylor jumped out early on the Fighting Illini and kept Illinois from bunching together hits in the Bears' 20-6 win in front of 3,033 fans at Baylor Ballpark Friday night. The game was called in the top of the ninth because of a heavy shower in Waco. Illini right fielder Nick Stockwell led the offensive attack with a 2-for-4 effort, a double and two runs, while second baseman Joe Bonadonna went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run. Centerfielder Kyle Hudson also drove in two runs.
"I was disappointed with our defense and with our lack of composure on the mound to overcome mistakes," Illinois coach Dan Hartleb said. "We need to use today as a learning experience and not let these things happen again."
Baylor struck first and in a big way, scoring 10 runs - only four earned - while sending 14 men to the plate in the bottom of the second inning. After needing just eight pitches in the first inning, Illini starter Scott Shaw used 49 in the second and the Illinois defense committed a pair of errors behind him. The Bears touched Shaw for five doubles and a home run in the frame to take a 10-0 lead.
After allowing two runs in the third, Shaw was relieved by Billy Barrett, who retired the side and worked a scoreless fourth. Illinois got on the board in the fifth, with DH Daniel Webb knocking a single through the left side and, one out later, Stockwell doubling to right-center. With runners on second and third, second baseman Joe Bonadonna singled off Baylor pitcher Kendal Volz up the middle, driving in both runners, and took second on the throw home. After Bonadonna moved to third on a wild pitch, centerfielder Kyle Hudson looped a single over shortstop to bring the Illini within 12-3.
But Baylor tacked on another run in the fifth and seven more in the sixth, spread between Barrett and Mike Sterk, who entered with one out in the sixth inning. Illinois scratched out a run in the seventh when Stockwell laced a one-out single through the right side and moved to third on consecutive wild pitches. Bonadonna walked and advanced to second on defensive indifference, and Hudson drove home Stockwell with a groundout, making the score 20-4 in the Bears' favor.
Sterk pitched a near-perfect seventh, striking out two, and Illinois scored twice in the eighth. Shortstop Pete Cappetta walked in his first career plate appearance and moved to second on new first baseman Matt Dittman's first career base hit. Both runners advanced on Mike Giller's groundout and Cappetta scored his first career run on a passed ball. Dittman then crossed the plate for the first time in his career when Hudson grounded out, making the score 20-6. Redshirt-freshman Lee Zerrusen entered in the bottom of the eighth and worked a scoreless frame, the first outing of his career.
"In a tournament setting, you have to have a short memory whether you win or you lose," Hartleb said. "Tonight was a tough loss, but we have to learn to put it behind us and find a way to get a win tomorrow."
Up Next: The Illini return to the Baylor Ballpark diamond Saturday at 2 p.m. against Sam Houston State. The Lumberjacks lost, 9-3, to Illinois-Chicago in Friday's first game.
