PEORIA, Ill. -- Illinois scored five runs in the eighth inning Tuesday to beat Bradley 8-6 at Dozer Park. The Illini and Braves split a two-game season series.
Illinois (16-22) scored its five eighth-inning runs on five hits, including a leadoff double by Tyler Engel. The scoring was capped on a first-and-third double steal that had Mark Skonieczny steal home for his first career stolen base.
The Illini held 2-0 and 3-1 leads thanks to a two-run homer from Doran Turchin and a solo shot from Pat McInerney, his team-best 12th of the season. Bradley (18-20) stormed back and took a 5-3 advantage in the sixth to set the table for Illinois' comeback.
Michael Massey led the Illini with three hits, his third three-hit day in the last five games, while Trent Hammond and Turchin added two hits. Casey Dodge provided a two-RBI single as part of the eighth-inning outburst.
Ryan Schmitt (3-1) earned his third win in his last four appearances. He retired all five hitters he faced in relief of Cole Bellair (5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER). Joey Gerber allowed a run in the eighth before finishing off a six-out save, his sixth save of the season.
Eric Sheuermann (1-4) allowed three of the eighth-inning runs on five hits to take the loss. Bradley had three players with two hits and Jean-Francoise Garon chipped in three RBIs.
Illinois is on the road again this weekend with a trip to Minnesota. The Illini and Gophers will play three games Friday-Sunday.
