April 2, 2008

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois took a no-hit bid into the ninth inning, but Saint Louis' J.D. Dunn broke it up with a lead-off single in the final frame as the Illini downed the Billikens, 9-2, at Illinois Field. Third baseman Dominic Altobelli and right fielder Nick Stockwell each homered, and center fielder Kyle Hudson was 2-for-5 with two runs and three stolen bases as the Illini improved to 14-7.

"Sitting on the bench you hope the no-hitter happens, but once it's over, you get the win and move on," Illinois coach Dan Hartleb said. "All of our pitchers threw very well tonight and we're playing with a lot of confidence and doing a lot of things well right now."

Illinois started the night with three runs in the first inning when Hudson reached on a bunt single and stole second. One out later, shortstop Brandon Wikoff singled to drive home Hudson for the game's first run. Three pitches later, Altobelli smashed a 2-0 fastball over the left-center field fence for his third homer of the season, giving the Illini a 3-0 lead.

After starter Nick Chmielewski retired the Billikens in order in the second, Stockwell blasted a 2-1 offering to left field for his first homer of the season. Hudson followed with a base hit then stole his way around to third, where second baseman Joe Bonadonna drove him in with a single up the middle. One out later, Altobelli walked and, after a flyout, DH Daniel Webb drove home Bonadonna with a single to put the Illini up 6-0.

Chmielewski had his best inning in the third, needing just nine pitches to retire the Billikens in his final inning of work. After reliever Lee Zerrusen worked nearly perfect fourth and fifth innings, striking out three while walking one, the Illini got another run in the bottom of the fifth. Webb led off with a single and, after an out, moved to second on a wild pitch. One out later, Stockwell drove him home with a base hit for a 7-0 lead.

Reliever Wes Braun came on in the sixth and fired two perfect frames, striking out two SLU hitters. In the seventh, first baseman Mike Giller doubled to right-center to start the inning and, one out later, catcher Aaron Johnson pulled a double down the left-field line to plate Giller for an 8-0 lead.

One inning later, Bonadonna and shortstop Pete Cappetta walked, and third baseman John Schlichter drove home Bonadonna with a base hit for a 9-0 margin. Mike Stankiewicz had come on in relief in the eighth, working a 10-pitch inning with one strikeout, handing off the no-hit bid to closer Ben Reeser in the ninth.

But Dunn laced the first pitch he saw into left field to break up the no-hitter and the Billikens managed two runs in the inning before Reeser coaxed a flyout to end the game.

Offensively, Stockwell was 2-for-4 with a homer, two RBIs and a run, while Webb went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run. Bonadonna went 1-for-3 with an RBI, two runs and two walks. Chmielewski earned the win with three shutout innings, while Zerrusen and Braun each pitched two scoreless frames.

Up Next: The Fighting Illini return to Big Ten action on Friday, starting a four-game set at Indiana with a 2 p.m. (CT) first pitch at Sembower Field. Sophomore Kevin Manson is slated to take the hill for the Illini.