March 14, 2001

Box Score

Fresno, CA - ILLINI BATS EXPLODE FOR 18-6 WIN Illinois Improves to 7-6 with Win over Bucknell

Fresno, Calif. - The Illinois baseball team (7-6) got an 18-run, 18-hit outburst from its offense to beat Bucknell University, 18-6, this afternoon at the Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic at Fresno State University. Brady Ballard, Jeff Gertz and Rob Fischer had three RBI apiece and Illinois hit three more home runs to bring its tournament total to 10 over three games.

"Our hitters got started early and jumped on Bucknell's starting pitcher, something we haven't done much this year," Illinois head coach Itch Jones said. "We got some big hits and some long balls and got out to the early 10-1 lead. We have about 33 hits in the last two ballgames and our hitters are starting to come around. Our young hitters are starting to make a contribution."

Illinois got single runs in the first and sixth innings, two runs in the third and fifth while putting up big innings in the second (seven runs) and eighth (five runs). The second was highlighted by home runs from Brady Ballard (two-run shot) and Rob Fischer (three-run shot).

Top Illini hitters included Ballard (2-5, 4 runs, 3 RBI), Andy Schutzenhofer (3-5, 2 runs), Jeff Gertz (2-5, 3 RBI), Rob Fischer (3-5, HR, 3 RBI) and Patrick Arlis (3-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI, HR).

Reilly Smith (2-1) earned the win after throwing five innings and allowing five runs (three earned). Smith walked one and struck out one. Casey Hahn threw three innings of relief, allowing three hits and only one run, and closer Matt Vorwald threw a scoreless ninth.

Illinois will enter cross-divisional play at the Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic as the second seed in its pool. Illinois faces No. 3 seeded New Mexico at noon central time.