May 6, 2006

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois rebounded with a 7-4 win in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader with Michigan after losing the first game 1-0 in front of 1,012 fans at Illinois Field. Tanner Roark improved his record to 3-0 after the Illini scored six runs in the fifth inning of the day's second game to take the lead for good. In the first game, Ben Reeser threw a complete-game five-hitter, allowing just one run, but took the loss as Illinois was shut out.

In the second game, Michigan jumped on top with three runs in the second inning. The Wolverines put together two hits, two walks and a hit batter to take an early lead. But the Illini responded with a run in the fourth when Mike Rohde led off with a double and moved to third on Lars Davis' flyout. Ryan Hastings then flew out to center and Rohde drew a throw home. The throw was wide, but seemingly in line with the pitcher, but it got by, allowing Rohde to score and make the Wolverine lead 3-1.

Illinois then pulled ahead in the fifth, putting together five hits, a walk and three stolen bases. Trevor Huisinga led off with a base hit and stole second before Kyle Hudson drove him in with a single back up the middle. Hudson then stole second and scored on Ryan Snowden's base hit to right, and Snowden moved up a base when the catcher's attempted pick-off throw came without anyone covering first.

Snowden moved to third on a balk and scored one out later when Dave Schultz grounded to the second baseman, who made a poor throw home trying to get Snowden. Rohde walked and Davis knocked a double over the left-fielder's head to drive in Schultz and Rohde. Hastings followed with a hard-hit single that bounced over the first baseman's glove, to drive in Davis and give Illinois a 7-3 lead.

Reliever Brian Long allowed a run in the sixth, but closer Jake Toohey got the last out of the inning and pitched a perfect seventh, including a pair of strikeouts, to record his fourth save of the season. Offensively, Hastings was 3-for-6 on the day, including two hits and an RBI in the nightcap. Davis had two RBI in the second game and Bonadonna, Roof, Rohde and Snowden each collected two hits on the day.

In the opener, Reeser retired the first eight Michigan batters, but the Wolverines put a run up first as Mike Schmidt knocked his ninth home run of the season with two outs in the third inning, giving the Wolverines a 1-0 lead.

That was all Michigan starter Paul Hammond needed as he scattered six hits in a complete-game effort, striking out seven and not allowing a walk. Reeser had has best outing at Illinois, allowing just five hits and walking one in his first complete game. He threw just 71 pitches, 44 for strikes and took the hard-luck loss.