April 12, 2000

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Illinois baseball team beat the Indiana State Sycamores 8-2 tonight at Illinois Field. With the win the Illini move to 24-10 on the season, 10-2 in Big Ten Conference action. The Sycamores are now 15-20-1 this spring.

Sophomore Andy Dickinson was the highlight of the night for the Illini. The southpaw went the distance to move to 4-1 on the year. Dickinson only surrendered six hits and two runs, both earned, to the Indiana State offense. The Freeport, Ill. native struck out eight and walked three in his nine innings of work. It was Dickinson's first complete game at the collegiate level.

"Dickinson did a good job," Illini Head Coach Itch Jones said. "He gave nine innings when we needed it. He wasn't struggling, so he could stay a little longer without all of the pressure. He may be the person who starts our fourth game this weekend at Michigan State."

The Sycamores jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first. The second batter, J. C. Baker, singled to center. Right fielder Dunstin James followed with a double to to left, which scored Baker. The second Indiana State run came in the fifth when third baseman Chris Hall singled to left. He moved to second on a Jordan Bichanich groundout. Hall scored on a double to center by lead-off hitter Clint Barnes.

The Illini offense came alive in the second inning. Andy Schutzenhofer and Craig Marquie were given consecutive walks to start the inning. Illini left fielder Rob Fischer stepped up to the plate with two on and nobody out. He hit an infield grounder, but second baseman J.C. Baker made a wild throw to first allowing Schutzenhofer to score. The ball was picked up by right fielder Kevin Egle who threw the ball over the head of catcher Ben Vannatter allowing Marquie to come home safely.

The second offensive outburst for the Illini came in the bottom of the fifth. After the Sycamores had tied the game at two in the top of the inning, Joe Parenti walked to start off the bottom half of the inning for Illinois. Parenti went to second on an overthrow during a pick-off attempt. With one out, lead-off hitter Chris Basak laid a bunt single down the third base line. Parenti scored on another failed pick-off move. Brady Ballard was the first batter to face relief pitcher Pat Tingley. With Basak on, Ballard hit a home run over the right field wall. The inning was not over for the Illini. Schutzenhofer walked and moved to second on a passed ball. After Marquie walked, Fischer hit a single to right to drive in Schutzenhofer.

Illinois added two insurance runs in the eighth. Catcher Pat Arlis began the bottom half of the inning with a single to left, the first hit of his career. He moved to second on a wild pitch. Basak reached on an error, which moved Arlis to third. Arlis scored on a sacrifice fly by D.J. Svihlik. Basak stole second and scored on a double by Schutzenhofer.

The first place Fighting Illini travel to Michigan State this weekend in a four-game conference series. Friday's game one is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Saturday's doubleheader begins at noon. and the final game of the series will begin at noon on Sunday.