March 21, 2008

Box Score |  Illinois vs. CCSU game 1 

BRADENTON, Fla. - Illinois split a pair of one-run games against Central Connecticut State Friday, dropping an 8-7 decision in game one and winning the second game, 5-4, on the Illini's final day of their Spring Trip to the IMG Academies. The teams played a doubleheader composed of two seven-inning games in order to make up games cancelled earlier in the season.

Centerfielder Kyle Hudson went 5-for-8 on the day with four RBIs and shortstop Brandon Wikoff was 5-for-7 with two RBIs, two steals and a run to lead the offense. Reliever Wes Braun pitched three strong innings in game two to record his first career save in his first appearance as an Illini.

"I didn't think we were particularly sharp to start, but we found a way to win a game today," Illinois coach Dan Hartleb said. "We didn't pitch very well in the first game, but we found a way to battle back. Then we made some plays to win the second game."

In game one, CCSU scored four in the first inning, but the Illini fought back with two in the second. With one out, DH Daniel Webb singled and catcher Chris Montgomery was hit by a pitch. One out later, second baseman Joe Bonadonna was hit by a pitch and Hudson singled, driving in Webb and Montgomery to make the score 4-2.

But the Blue Devils added four more in the third to take an 8-2 lead. In the fourth, Montgomery led off with a single and moved to second on a groundout. One out later, Hudson singled to drive in Montgomery and cut the margin to 8-3. One inning later, Wikoff led off with a single and stole second. Third baseman Dominic Altobelli then hit his second home run of the trip and Hastings doubled. He moved to third on a flyout then scored on Montgomery's sacrifice fly, making the score 8-6.

The Illini continued to fight in the bottom of the sixth as Bonadonna led off with a single and stole second. He moved to third on a throwing error by the pitcher and, after an out, scored on left fielder Casey McMurray's sacrifice fly, making the score 8-7. Illinois had men on first and second with two outs but couldn't push across the tying run.

In game two, the Illini jumped ahead with three runs in the second. With one out, right fielder Craig Lutes singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Bonadonna walked and Hudson singled, driving in Lutes. One out later, Wikoff singled home Bonadonna, then Altobelli singled home Hudson for a 3-0 lead.

In the fourth, Bonadonna led off with a single and Hudson singled. McMurray walked to load the bases and Wikoff singled, driving in Bonadonna for a 4-0 advantage. CCSU got three runs back in the bottom half, though, to make the score 4-3.

The Illini added an insurance run in the sixth when Hudson hit a one-out single and stole second. McMurray doubled him home, pushing Illinois ahead 5-3. CCSU scored one in the sixth and had the tying run on second in both the sixth and seventh innings, but Braun worked out of two jams to earn his first career save.

Up Next: Illinois travels to Indiana State on Tuesday for a 3 p.m. start before heading to Michigan State to open the Big Ten season on Friday at 2 p.m. (CT) at Oldsmobile Park in Lansing, Mich., the home of the minor-league Lansing Lugnuts.