Box Score April 1, 2008
Box Score
MARION, Ill. -
Illinois scored three runs in the sixth and held on for a 5-2 win against Southern Illinois, the Illini's seventh-straight win over the Salukis. Joe Bonadonna went 3-for-4 with three steals and a run and starter Billy Barrett tossed six solid innings to earn his first win of the year.
"Barrett did a nice job of getting us off to a good start and letting the offense take over," Illinois coach Dan Hartleb said. "Then Sterk came in and threw three strong innings.
Illinois (13-7) struck first with a run in the second after first baseman Ryan Hastings singled and moved to second on DH Daniel Webb's base hit. One out later, left fielder Craig Lutes ripped a base hit into left to drive home Hastings. But SIU (13-11) pulled ahead when left fielder Bret Maugeri walked and DH Tyler Bullock knocked a two-run homer to right-center for a 2-1 lead.
The turning point in the game came in the bottom of the fourth when SIU loaded the bases with no outs but Barrett struck out Bullock before inducing an inning-ending double play.
The Fighting Illini tied the game in the fifth when third baseman Brandon Wikoff laced a one-out double down the left-field line, moved to third on Hastings' single and scored on Webb's base hit, making the score 2-2.
In the sixth, Lutes drew a lead-off walk and moved to third on right fielder Nick Stockwell's sacrifice then scored on center fielder Kyle Hudson's single up the middle. Bonadonna was hit by a pitch and was safe at second when the throw from a grounder by Wikoff sailed over the shortstop's head, allowing Hudson to score. Bonadonna reached third on the error and scored on third baseman Dominic Altobelli's groundout, giving the Illini a 5-2 lead.
Barrett put forth six strong innings, giving up two runs on seven hits while striking out two Salukis. Mike Sterk came on in relief for the Illini and earned his first career save with three shutout innings, allowing two hits and a run while striking out a career-high three Salukis.
Bonadonna was 3-for-4 with a run and three steals, and Webb went 3-for-5 with an RBI. Hastings was 2-for-5 with a run, while Montgomery and Wikoff each doubled.
Up Next: Illinois welcomes Saint Louis to Illinois Field on Wednesday for a 6:05 p.m. first pitch before heading to Indiana this weekend.
