March 14, 2003

Box Score

Edinburg, Texas - The University of Illinois baseball team began the first of three days of action at the University of Texas-Pan American Al Ogletree Classic against Iona College with a 5-1 win at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium Friday afternoon. The Illini pounded out 11 hits, as they improved to 4-1 on the season.

"I thought we got very good pitching and defense today," said Illinois head coach Richard 'Itch' Jones. "We didn't hit the cover off of the ball today, but we got some timely hits and moved runners along. Every time we got a runner to third base today, we found a way to get him home."

The Illini got on the board first in the bottom of the third inning. Senior catcher Sean Patrick led off the inning with a single to left field. He then advanced to second on a T.F. Meagher sacrifice bunt, before moving up to third base on a wild pitch by Iona starter Rob Vaughn. Joe Parenti then plated Patrick on a groundout to first base.

Illinois scored another run in the bottom of the fourth to get some more breathing room. Trevor Huisinga singled to left to start the inning and advanced to third on a single to right field by Dusty Bensko. Freshman Eric Eymann then drove Huisinga in on a fielder's choice.

The Orange and Blue broke it wide open in the bottom of the sixth, with Bensko doubling into right center with one out to set the table. Eymann followed that up with another double, this time down the left field line to score Bensko. Meagher then singled home Eymann to give the Illini a 4-1 lead.

Senior Josh Lane had a strong performance on the hill for the Illini, improving to 2-0 on the young season. Lane threw seven innings of three hit ball, en route to giving up only one run. He struk out eight and walked only four Iona batters on the afternoon's performance.

"He has had two really good outings in a row for us. We are very pleased with his performance as we try to solidify a rotation over the next two weeks," said Jones of Lane's performance.

The Illini return to action Saturday evening against the tournament hosts: the University of Texas-Pan American Broncs at 7:00 P.M.