March 26, 2008

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois blew the game open with a seven-run third inning and scored 12 runs in three innings to take down Indiana State, 15-4, in a game that was moved to Illinois Field after the Sycamores' field was unplayable on Tuesday. Freshman left fielder Casey McMurray went 4-for-5 with a double, an RBI and three runs - his first career four-hit game - and second baseman Joe Bonadonna drove in four runs to lead the Illini offense.

Aaron Martin ran his scoreless innings streak to 13 with a strong four-inning start to improve to 3-1 on the season. The Illini won their sixth game out of their last seven and for the seventh time in their last nine games.

"Martin was very sharp and Scott Shaw did a great job getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh," Illinois coach Dan Hartleb said. "We've really learned how to win over the last 10 days, so our players should feel good about that."

The Illini bunched together three hits, three walks and two hit batters to score seven runs in the bottom of the third, capped by Bonadonna's three-run double, for a 7-0 lead. Illinois added three more in the fourth on four hits and a walk, including catcher Chris Montgomery's two-run single, to push the margin to 10-0.

In the fifth, center fielder Kyle Hudson reached on an error then McMurray singled, advancing Hudson to third, and advanced to second on the throw. Shortstop Brandon Wikoff reached on an error that drove in Hudson then McMurray scored on a double play, giving the Illini a 12-0 advantage.

Indiana State scored two runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings, but Illinois scored once in the seventh and twice in the eighth. In the eighth, pinch hitter Pete Cappetta ripped a double to center and catcher Aaron Johnson doubled down the left-field line to plate Cappetta. Bonadonna then drove in Johnson with a grounder, giving the Illini their final margin of 15-4.

In addition to McMurray, Bondonna went 2-for-4 with a double, four RBIs and a run. DH Daniel Webb was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run, and Wikoff went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run. Hudson was 1-for-6, but reached base three times and scored each time.

On the mound, Martin was efficient, using just 38 pitches in four innings of shutout work, allowing two hits while striking out two and not giving up a walk. Billy Barrett tossed a scoreless fifth inning then Shaw twirled two shutout innings of relief with two strikeouts while allowing just one runner to score when he inherited a bases-loaded, no-out situation. Ben Reeser tossed a scoreless ninth, allowing one hit.

Up Next: Illinois opens Big Ten play Friday against Michigan State at Oldsmobile Park in Lansing, Mich., the home of the Class A Lansing Lugnuts. Friday's series opener will start at 2:05 p.m. (CT), then Saturday's doubleheader and Sunday's series finale each are slated to begin at 12:05 p.m. (CT). Sophomore Kevin Manson will take the mound for the Illini on Friday.