March 16, 2002

Box Score

Sarasota, Fla. - An 11th inning ground rule double from Luke Simmons gave the University of Illinois Baseball a 5-1 win over Bucknell in its opening game of the 2002 Spring Trip. Illini ace Andy Dickinson threw all 11 innings, a career high for the senior, in improving to 3-0 on the year and 22-5 in his career.

"Today was a big win for us because we tend to struggle on the Spring Trip and it was important to get off to a quick start," Dickinson said. "I felt great out there today. There was no doubt in my mind I wanted to go the whole way and the offense allowed me to do that by getting four runs in the 11th."

After a scoreless first for both sides, Illinois' first three batters loaded the bases in the top of the second and gave Illinois a 1-0 lead when Patrick Arlis scored on a sac fly to center off the bat of Dusty Bensko.

Meanwhile, Illini ace Andy Dickinson sailed through the first six innings, facing only two above the minimum. He ran into trouble in the seventh, though, giving up a one-out double to first baseman Pete Wolf with one out. Running for Wolf, Dave Garrisi advanced to third on a throwing error by shortstop T.F. Meagher and scored when catcher Patrick Arlis threw a ball into left field on a failed pick-off move, tying the score at 1-1.

The score stayed knotted at one until the top of the 11th when Illinois loaded the bases off Bucknell reliever Chris Lackett with no one out for Luke Simmons. The senior sent a ground rule double over the right-center field wall, scoring both Drew Davidson and T.F. Meagher to give Illinois a 3-1 lead and left runners on second and third. After Patrick Arlis grounded out, Joe Parenti sent a single to left, plating Schutzenhofer and giving Illinois a 4-1 lead and Simmons scored the fifth run on a passed ball.

Dickinson (3-0) got the win after throwing 11 complete innings and allowing only three hits and no earned runs. He struck out 12, tying a career high. Lackett (0-1) suffered the loss. Offensively, Schutzenhofer and Simmons paced Illinois with three hits apiece.

Illinois continues its Spring Trip with a 10:30 am (eastern) game against Northeastern Saturday morning.