March 19, 2006

Box Score

BRADENTON, Fla. - Starting pitcher Scott Shaw threw 6 2/3 shutout innings and first baseman Dave Schultz went 3-for-5 with three RBI as Illinois held on for a 4-2 win against Illinois-Chicago in the Illini's second game of its annual Spring Trip at the IMG Academies. Illinois racked up 14 hits as its first four hitters combined to go 9-for-18 with all four runs and RBI.

"Scott got himself in trouble a couple of times but he was able to pitch out of it," Illini coach Dan Hartleb said of his starter. "The defense made plays behind him, and a lot of that came from the fact that he induced a lot of ground balls and worked quickly."

After three scoreless innings, the Illini broke through with a run in the fourth when leftfielder Ryan Snowden led off with a base hit, third baseman Mike Rohde followed with a single and first baseman Dave Schultz legged out a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. Shortstop Shawn Roof then drove in Snowden with a fielder's choice grounder to shortstop, giving Illinois a 1-0 lead.

"Early in the game their pitcher threw well," Hartleb said. "But our guys stayed in and battled. We could've moved runners better earlier in the game, but we were able to come up with some clutch hits late that were the difference."

The Illini added a run in the top of the eighth when Snowden led off with a double and, one out later, scored on Schultz's single to the wall in right field to give Illinois a 2-0 lead. Then the Orange and Blue tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the top of the ninth as Chase Kliment started the inning with a pinch-hit single. Two outs later, Snowden walked and Rohde singled to right-center before Schultz doubled to the wall in left-center to drive in both runs, increasing the Illini lead to 4-0.

Those two runs proved to be the difference as the Flames got on the board in the ninth off Illini reliever Matt Whitmore. Whitmore allowed two unearned runs on three hits and an error, and UIC had the tying run on first before the seventh Flame hitter of the inning grounded out to Schultz at first to finish the 4-2 Illini win.

"Our guys understand they can win and I'm really pleased with the mentality they've had so far," Hartleb said. "Winning is contagious but we have to continue to play with enthusiasm and energy."

Shaw was efficient with his 77 pitches, coaxing 14 groundball outs in 6 2/3 innings. Jake Stewart threw 1 1/3 innings of perfect relief before giving way to Matt Whitmore, who finished off the Flames in the ninth. In addition to Schultz's breakout game at the plate, Snowden was 2-for-3 with three runs and a double, Rohde went 2-for-5 with a run and Roof was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Freshman designated hitter Dominic Altobelli also went 2-for-4 with a double.

"We did a really good job once we got into their bullpen," Hartleb said. "Once they brought in their relievers, we were able to put pressure on those guys and score some runs."

Illinois continues its Spring Trip with a 9:30 a.m. (CT) game against Massachusetts tomorrow at IMG before having an off day on Tuesday.