April 16, 2006

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - In a series that featured 37 combined runs in Friday's game and a 12-inning marathon in Saturday's doubleheader nightcap, the only fitting way to end the four-game set was with a shortened game. That was exactly what happened as Illinois snapped its five-game losing streak by defeating Northwestern 3-1 when Sunday's series finale was called in the bottom of the seventh inning because of severe weather.

Northwestern threatened in the third, but Illini starter Jake Stewart worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam by striking out the Wildcats' leading hitter, Antonio Mulé, and coaxing a foul fly-out to end the inning. Illinois then scored a pair in the bottom of the frame when Trevor Huisinga led off with a single and stole second. One out later, Ryan Snowden doubled to left-center, but Huisinga only advanced to third on the looping two-base hit. Shawn Roof then drove in Huisinga with a groundout to shortstop and Snowden scored when the shortstop and second baseman collided on Dave Schultz's pop-up behind the second base bag, giving Illinois a 2-0 lead.

The Wildcats scored one in the fourth on a solo home run, but Stewart cruised through the rest of his five-inning outing, allowing only one more base runner before freshman Aaron Martin took the ball in the sixth inning. NU strung together two hits to open that inning, and a passed ball moved the runners to second and third with two outs. But Martin induced a grounder to Roof to preserve Illinois' 2-1 lead.

"Jake was outstanding," Illinois coach Dan Hartleb said. "He stayed within himself and threw three pitches for strikes."

The Illini added another run in the sixth when Schultz singled through the right side and moved to third on designated hitter Chase Kliment's double down the left-field line. After a strikeout, Lars Davis was intentionally walked to load the bases. Ryan Hastings then drove in Schultz with a single to center to push the Illinois lead to 3-1.

In the seventh, Northwestern began the inning with consecutive singles before Martin induced a fielder's choice to force the runner at second base. Martin then started a 1-6-3 double play when he snagged a low grounder off the pitcher's mound that ended the inning. After Snowden struck out to start the bottom half, the game was suspended and eventually called because of strong storms in the area.

In the game, Kliment went 2-for-3 with a double and Snowden was 2-for-4 with a double and a run. Stewart went five innings, allowing only one run on five hits while striking out two and walking one. Martin earned his first career save after tossing two shutout innings.

"I'm very excited about all three of our freshman pitchers, Aaron Martin, Ben Reeser and Tanner Roark," Hartleb said. "None of them are anywhere close to where they are going to be down the road. They all like to go out there and they compete. You can't teach competitiveness."

Illinois returns to action on Tuesday at Illinois State in a 6 p.m. start. The Illini look to avenge a late-inning 4-3 loss to the Redbirds in 2005.