March 5, 2005

Box Score

Edinburg, Texas - Redshirt junior pitcher Brian Blomquist was nearly perfect and Illinois used RBI doubles from two seniors as the Illini defeated Texas-Pan American 3-0 on the second day of the Al Ogletree Classic.

Blomquist threw a complete-game two-hit shutout, the first time since 2000 that an Illini pitcher threw a two-hitter. The Carol Stream, Ill., native struck out seven and walked only one while never facing more than four Bronc hitters in any inning. Shortstop Toby Gardenhire and first baseman Dusty Bensko drove in all three Illini runs with doubles in the second and third innings, respectively.

"Blomquist was just outstanding tonight," Illinois coach Richard "Itch" Jones said. "He was just in complete command."

Blomquist threw five perfect innings and got two double plays from the Illini defense. The righthander collected his second win in as many outings this season while facing only 30 batters, three more than the minimum.

"He used his defense, he got seven strikeouts," Jones said. "We gave him good support and it's easy to give a pitcher good support when he pitches a great game because you don't have many balls hit hard at you."

Illinois (3-2) jumped on top early, scoring twice in the second inning. Third baseman Chad Frk stroked a two-out single to center then moved to second when right fielder J.R. Kyes reached on an infield hit. Shortstop Toby Gardenhire drove them both in with a double just past the reach of the left fielder, giving the Illini an early 2-0 lead.

Illinois added another run in the third when designated hitter Mike Rohde walked and stole second base, his first steal in the Orange and Blue. First baseman Dusty Bensko then doubled him home, making the Illini lead 3-0.

Blomquist allowed a two-out double in the third, but struck out the next hitter looking. He gave up a single in the fourth, but coaxed flyouts from the next two batters. And he walked and hit consecutive batters in the fifth inning before getting the next hitter to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning. The quick-working Blomquist made short work of the Broncs, finishing the game in 2:20.

The Illini now face a quick turnaround, playing Sam Houston State Sunday at 10 a.m.