Feb. 22, 2002

Box Score

Edinburg, Texas - The University of Illinois opened its 123rd season of varsity baseball this evening with an 8-3 win over the University of Texas-Pan American at Edinburg Baseball Stadium. With Illini All-American Andy Dickinson on the mound, the eight runs would be more than enough as the senior earned his first win of the year and the 20th of his career, earning him a spot among Illinois' all-time wins leaders.

"Andy Dickinson started where he left off last year and got us off to a 1-0 start," Illini head coach Itch Jones said. "Our offense also did an outstanding job jumping on Texas-Pan Am early. They did a good job tonight being aggressive at the plate and on the bases."

Illinois opened its scoring early, as freshman Drew Davidson led off the game with a walk in his first collegiate at bat. After T.F. Meagher was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with no one out, junior Andy Schutzenhofer sent a deep fly ball to center that moved Davidson to third, setting up clean-up man Joe Parenti, who hit a single to right, plating Davidson. Senior Luke Simmons followed with a single of his own to left that scored Meagher from second to make the score 2-0. Illinois would add one more in the top of the first when, with two outs, Parenti came in from third while catcher Patrick Arlis, who had reached on a fielders choice, got caught in a rundown.

The Illini tacked on three more in the second off UTPA starter Travis Parker. After Brandon Cashman collected a single to left in his first appearance in an Illinois uniform, Brian Raymond and Meagher loaded the bases when both were hit by a pitch, and Schutzenhofer drew a walk to score Cashman. Parenti followed with a two-run single to left that scored Raymond and Meagher, giving the sophomore three RBI just two innings into his return from foot surgery that sidelined him for all but seven games of the 2001 campaign.

Illinois gave Dickinson one more run to work with in the top of the third. Arlis led off with a single, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. Cashman took advantage of the opportunity, singling Arlis home to make the score 7-1.

Meanwhile, Dickinson was cruising, allowing only one run and six baserunners through seven complete innings. He allowed five hits and walked one while striking out eight. Dave Mazurek (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB), James Morris (0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 BB) and Josh Lane (0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) all pitched in relief and closed the game out for Dickinson.

Illinois would add insurance in the eighth off UTPA reliever Justin Bogy when Brett Wicker made a memorable debut in the Orange and Blue. Pinch hitting for Raymond, Wicker sent a ball off the centerfield wall for a triple that scored Cashman, who had singled to start the inning.

Parker (0-4) suffered the loss after allowing seven runs (all earned) in five innings of work. He gave up six hits and walked two while striking out five.

Illinois and UTPA play game two of their three-game series Saturday at 1 p.m. The series finale is scheduled for Sunday at 11 a.m.

Game Notes: 1. Eight players made their Illinois debuts Friday evening. Two, freshman Drew Davidson (LF) and transfer Brandon Cashman (CF) were in the starting line-up. One other freshman (Dusty Bensko) and three transfers (Sean Patrick, Ted Rowe and Brett Wicker) pinch hit, and freshman James Morris came out of the bullpen in the ninth. 2. Junior shortstop T.F. Meagher tied a school record already held by himself and four others, getting hit by a pitch three times. He has now been hit by a pitch 17 times in his career, ranking him eighth in school history. 3. Andy Dickinson moved into 10th place on Illinois' career wins list after collecting his 20th career win this evening. Dickinson's career 20-5 record is good for an .800 winning percentage, ranking him seventh in winning percentage in school history.