March 22, 2009

Box Score

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - On a rainy day at Chain of Lakes Stadium, No. 19 Illinois (12-4) notched 16 hits and had an early lead, but dropped a tough one to Central Connecticut State (6-3), falling 6-4. Left fielder Casey McMurray extended his hitting streak to 14 games, going 3-for-5 with a run and RBI and shortstop Brandon Wikoff also finished the day 3-for-5, tying a career-high 10-game hit streak.

"I was disappointed today with our lack of composure with runners in scoring position," Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb said. "We had numerous opportunities to drive in runs, but didn't swing at good pitches. On a positive note, Lee Zerrusen gave us a quality start and a chance to win the game."

Illinois took an early 1-0 lead on an RBI single to right field by catcher Aaron Johnson. Singles by McMurray and Wikoff put runners at the corners before the Illini backstop knocked in McMurray for the first run of the game. But a single and consecutive doubles by the Blue Devils netted two runs in the third, giving CCSU a 2-1 advantage.

The Illini tied it at 2 in the fourth when right fielder Pete Cappetta singled up the middle, advanced to second on a balk and scored on a bloop single into center by desgignated hitter Willie Argo. But once again, the Blue Devils retook the lead after a double and an RBI single in the fourth, putting them ahead 3-2.

Illinois responded in the top of the sixth and evened up the affair for the second time. With two outs and runners on first and second, McMurray singled to center, which plated Argo and tied the game at 3.

It wasn't tied for long after the first three Blue Devils reached in the bottom of the sixth and Mike Stankiewicz relieved Mike Sterk (0-1). A two-run single and an RBI groundout gave the Blue Devils a 6-3 lead.

In the seventh, an RBI single by first baseman Craig Lutes scored third baseman Dominic Altobelli and made the score 6-4, but that is all the Illini were able to get.

The Illini threatened in the eighth, but a 22-minute rain delayed halted their momentum. With runners on the corners, a downpour forced both teams off the field. When play resumed, Illinois was unable to complete its comeback.

In his first career start, Zerrusen went four innings, allowing only two runs on five hits while striking out four and not surrendering a walk. Cappetta, Lutes, Argo and second baseman Josh Parr each tallied two hits on the day, but the Illini left 15 runners on base.

Up Next: Illinois and Central Connecticut State square off again on Monday in game two of the series at Chain of Lakes Stadium at 2 p.m. CT. Will Strack will toe the rubber for the Illini.