Feb. 28, 2009

Box Score

EDINBURG, Texas - Senior Aaron Martin allowed just one unearned run in eight innings and Illinois used a three-run seventh inning to top Stephen F. Austin, 4-2, in the Al Ogletree Classic at Edinburg Baseball Stadium. Freshman second baseman Josh Parr stayed hot, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run, and senior center fielder Joe Bonadonna also notched a pair of hits as the Illini improved to 4-1 on the season.

"Once again, we pitched extremely well," Illinois coach Dan Hartleb said. "Aaron Martin gave us eight good innings and was outstanding in a number of crucial situations. We also played very well defensively and took advantage of some miscues by Stephen F. Austin."

Illinois scored first with a tally in the first inning when Bonadonna ripped a leadoff double down the left-field line and moved to third on a single by left fielder Casey McMurray. Shortstop Brandon Wikoff brought home Bonadonna with a grounder to the first baseman, putting the Illini up 1-0.

But the Lumberjacks tied the game in the fifth when Martin gave up a leadoff single to catcher Joe Staley, who advanced to second on a wild pitch when Martin struck out third baseman Brian Ferguson. But Bonadonna dropped a fly ball, allowing Staley to advance to third, and he came home on a sacrifice fly to right field, tying the game at 1.

The Orange and Blue struck again in the seventh when designated hitter Pete Cappetta drove a single up the middle. Right fielder Craig Lutes dropped down a sacrifice bunt and the third baseman tried to throw out Cappetta at second, but the second baseman dropped the ball, leaving both runners safe. Parr drove home both runners with a single to right field and Bonadonna beat out a bunt single. Both runners moved up a base on a balk and McMurray brought home Parr with a sacrifice fly, posting Illinois to a 4-1 lead.

Stephen F. Austin looked to put together a rally in the ninth when left fielder Justin Long struck out but reached on a wild pitch, moved to second on a base hit and scored on another single. But closer Nick Chmielewski struck out second baseman Gabriel Garcia-Serrano to end the game and give the Illini the 4-2 win.

Martin was excellent in his eight innings of work, allowing an unearned run on only five hits and one walk while striking out three. He induced 14 ground-ball outs and used only 91 pitches in his eight innings.

The Orange and Blue finish the Al Ogletree Classic Sunday against Texas-Arlington at 9 a.m. Ben Reeser will take the hill for the Fighting Illini.