March 20, 2002
Box Score
Bradenton, Fla. -
Illinois staged a late inning rally for the second day in a row to defeat Massachusetts 6-5 in 10 innings and improve to 9-1 on the year. A game-winning double from Brandon Cashman gave Illinois its eighth win in a row and capped a perfect, 5-0 Spring Trip. With the loss Massachusetts fell to 5-6 on the year.
Illinois took an early lead in the ballgame, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning, one when Drew Davidson stole home on a double steal and two from a Luke Simmons triple.
Illini starter Brian Blomquist was wild throughout the first two innings but escaped each without allowing a run. His luck would run out in the third, though, and after giving up four runs and a 4-3 lead to the Minutemen the freshman was replaced by Reilly Smith. Smith threw the next 4 1/3 innings, limiting Massachusetts to one run on three hits before giving way to Dave Mazurek, who threw a scoreless 2/3 of an inning in the eighth.
In the meantime, Massachusetts starter Keith Doherty was shutting down the Illini offense, limiting the team to those three runs on six hits through seven innings. But Doherty ran into trouble in the eighth when Andy Schutzenhofer led off by getting hit by a pitch and scored when Patrick Arlis got on on a three base error by the left fielder. Arlis then scored the tying run on a Joe Parenti sac fly.
Josh Lane continued his hot pitching for the Illini, retiring Massachusetts in the eighth and ninth, giving the Illini offense a chance to rally. Illinois did just that in the top of the 10th off reliever Eric Chown. Arlis led off with a bunt single, stole second and, with two outs, scored what would prove to be the winning run when Cashman sent his second double of the day to deep center.
Lane (1-0) earned the win after throwing 2 1/3 innings of relief. He allowed only one hit. Chown suffered the loss after throwing two innings and allowing one run on four hits.
Illinois opens the home season this weekend with a two-game series against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 pm both Saturday and Sunday at Illinois Field.
