Feb. 25, 2006

Box Score

DeLand, Fla. - Catcher Lars Davis went 2-for-4 and Brian Long threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, but Illinois lost to South Florida 4-2 at the Stetson Invitational. The Illini left nine men on base and committed two errors as they fell to 0-2 on the season.

"We had opportunities and my disappointment is when we had chances against their starter and let him let him off the hook by not being aggressive," Illinois coach Dan Hartleb said. "We need to minimize mistakes and be more aggressive at the plate and we'll be fine."

The Illini fell behind early as South Florida scored a run in each of the third and fourth innings off starter Jake Toohey. The Bulls added a pair in the sixth off reliever Luke Obukowicz when the leadoff batter reached on an error and scored one out later off a double. After another out, the next USF hitter doubled to extend the Bulls' lead to 4-0.

The Illini responded with a run in the bottom of the seventh when leftfielder Joe Bonadonna reached on an error by the second baseman with two outs and stole second. Rightfielder Trevor Huisinga then tripled to right field after working the count full to cut the USF lead to 4-1.

Illinois struck again in the eighth when third baseman Mike Rohde drew a lead-off walk and designated hitter Chase Kliment singled to left-center. Dave Schultz was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and catcher Lars Davis singled through the right side, driving in Rohde. Kliment attempted to score but was ruled out on a bang-bang play, and Schultz was thrown out trying to advance to third base as the Illini were only able to shave the Bulls' lead to 4-2.

Centerfielder Kyle Hudson led off the bottom of the ninth by reaching on an error by the shortstop, but the Illini weren't able to move him off first base as they dropped a 4-2 loss.

Davis continued his hot start in the Orange and Blue, going 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Rohde went 1-for-2 with a run and two walks. Hudson went 1-for-3 in his first action at Illinois, but reached base three times and stole a base. Junior Brian Long looked solid in his first outing at Illinois, throwing 3 1/3 innings of shutout relief and allowing only two hits.

"Lars had two hits and I was extremely pleased with Hudson both offensively and defensively," Hartleb said. "He got on base and put pressure on the defense, and he tracked down some balls for us in the outfield. It looks like he's someone who will need to be in the lineup on a regular basis."