May 24, 2006

Box Score

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Illinois managed just one hit against Minnesota pitchers Cole DeVries and Andy Peters as the Golden Gophers defeated the Illini 8-1 in the first game of the Big Ten Tournament at Ray Fisher Stadium. The Illini scored a run in the second but Minnesota scored eight unanswered as the Gophers sent Illinois to an elimination game Thursday against Purdue, which lost a heartbreaking 2-1 game to Ohio State in 12 innings.

After each team sent just three hitters to the plate in the first inning, Illinois catcher Lars Davis drew a one-out walk. Second baseman Ryan Hastings hit a ground ball to the first basemen, whose throw to second to start a double play went into left-center field, allowing Davis to advance to third. DH Trevor Huisinga then lifted a fly ball to left-center, driving in Davis to put Illinois up 1-0.

Following two scoreless innings, Illini starter Matt Whitmore hurt his cause with a lead-off walk and a poor pick-off throw that allowed Minnesota's Tony Leseman to advance to third. Gopher centerfielder Matt Nohelty's sacrifice fly scored Leseman, tying the game. That was the beginning of the end for Whitmore, who gave up two more runs in the fourth and a lead-off walk in the fifth before being lifted from the game.

Illinois missed an opportunity in the fifth when Trevor Huisinga broke up the no-hitter with a one-out base hit and stole second. But the Illini weren't able to re-take the lead after Joe Bonadonna popped out to shortstop, Kyle Hudson walked and Ryan Snowden grounded out to end the inning.

After Jake Stewart relieved Whitmore following the lead-off walk, the first batter Stewart faced in the fifth inning attempted a sacrifice bunt. But Stewart threw the ball away, allowing Gopher second baseman Luke MacLean to reach first base. After a successful sacrifice, Minnesota right fielder Kyle Baran singled in Nohelty and DH Andy Hunter's sacrifice fly scored MacLean, putting the Gophers up 3-1.

Minnesota added two more runs in the sixth and one more in the eighth, while the Illini had just one base runner after Hudson's walk in the fifth, as he drew another free pass in the eighth.

DeVries was very good against Illinois, throwing eight innings of one-hit, one-run ball, striking out five while walking five. Peters came in for a perfect ninth inning including two strikeouts.

Huisinga was Illinois' offensive highlight, going 1-for-2 with an RBI sacrifice fly. Davis scored the Illini's only run.

Illinois will face Purdue at 11 a.m. (CT) Thursday, with the winner of that game advancing to Friday's 11 a.m. (CT) game. Purdue lost to Ohio State 2-1 in 12 innings when OSU's Jedidiah Stephen singled to left field to drive in the winning run.