CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois baseball team swept Saint Louis with a 6-2 win Sunday at Illinois Field. Jason Goldstein had three hits and Cole Bellair earned his first career win on the mound.
"We are starting to be more productive from top to bottom and as we continue to improve there, it will help us as far as winning down the line," said head coach Dan Hartleb.
Illinois (17-16) scored two runs in the third, sixth and seventh innings and outhit Saint Louis 10-8. Adam Walton and Trent Hammond both had two hits for the second straight day, while Michael Hurwitz extended his hitting streak to nine games. Hurwitz has 19 hits during the streak.
"(Hurwitz) is an experienced guy," said Hartleb. "He has proved in the past that he can hit. He's tough. He was off for a year and a half with a major injury and fought his way through it. He is so mentally strong and kept working and found a way to get things going. Now, he is a big part of our success."
Bellair (1-2) struck out a career-best six. He allowed two runs on five hits in 6.1 innings. Nick Blackburn (1.1 IP, 0 R) picked up his eighth save, after Charlie Naso (0.2 IP, 0 R) and J.D. Nielsen (0.2 IP, 0 R) bridged the gap.
Devin Mahoney (1-2) took the loss for Saint Louis (16-21). Mahoney allowed four runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings. Illinois also scored single runs off of relievers Luke Sommerfeld and Sean Frontzak.
Hammond was the star of the series, going 6 for 10 with a homer and seven RBIs. Walton had five hits in the three-game set, after moving from his usual leadoff spot to the eight-hole.
Following Tuesday's game against Eastern Illinois in Mattoon, Illinois, the Illini have six straight home games. Ohio State visits April 22-24 and Minnesota comes to Champaign April 29-May 1.
