Box Score March 23, 2010
Box Score
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Center fielder
Willie Argo finished the day 4-for-4 with a homerun and four RBI, leading Illinois (6-8) to its third straight win with an 11-3 victory over the Southeastern (FL) Fire (17-13) on Tuesday at Chain of Lakes Stadium. Starter
Kevin Manson recorded five strikeouts and allowed three runs over seven quality innings of work to pick up his first win in his first start of the season.
"We executed well today from top to bottom," head coach Dan Hartleb said. "Willie Argo had a very, very good day. He swung the bat hard and got us started off well in the first inning. Kevin Manson also did a good job and was very consistent. Defensively, we played a clean game which was a positive step for us, and we took advantage of some of their mistakes on offense."
Three straight RBI doubles with two outs in the bottom of the first gave the Illini an early 3-0 lead. Argo led off the frame with a double down the right field line, and two outs later, first baseman Matt Dittman, catcher Aaron Johnson and third baseman Brandon Hohl each knocked in a run with a double off the outfield wall.
After the Fire got on the board with a run in the top of the third, Illinois answered in the bottom half when Argo dropped a two-out bloop single between the second baseman and right fielder to score Hohl from third and make it 4-1.
With two outs and runners on first and second in the bottom of the fifth, Argo belted a three-run homerun over the left field wall to increase the Illini advantage to 7-1. Southeastern got two runs back in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly and a solo homerun, cutting the lead to 7-3.
Illinois tacked on two more runs with in the seventh and again in the eighth, giving the Illini their final 11-3 advantage. In the seventh, right fielder Craig Lutes singled, stole second and scored on an RBI single by shortstop Josh Parr, who later scored on a first-and-third double steal. With the bases loaded in the eighth, Lutes singled through the right side, scoring pinch-hitters Daniel Parker and Adam Davis.
Sophomore Brian de la Torriente worked a scoreless eighth in relief of Manson while sophomore Bryan Roberts shut the door in the ninth with a double play and a groundout to seal the victory.
The Illini racked up 15 hits on the evening and continually delivered in the clutch, as all 11 of their runs came with two outs in the inning. Lutes went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored while Hohl and Johnson each notched two hits.
Illinois will wrap up its Spring Trip in Winter Haven with a doubleheader against Dartmouth on Wednesday. The Illini and Big Green will play a pair of seven inning games at Chain of Lakes Stadium, beginning at 8:30 a.m. CT. Will Strack will take the mound for game one while Kevin Johnson is slated to pitch game two.
