March 13, 2009

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - No. 21 Illinois scored eight runs in the middle three innings and cruised to a 10-1 win over Akron in the 2009 home opener at Illinois Field. The Illini are now 108-19-1 all-time in home openers and 16-5 in Illinois Field home openers. Sophomore right fielder Pete Cappetta stayed hot, going 2-for-4 with a steal and a run, and freshman left fielder Willie Argo was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run to lead the Illini offense.

Starting pitcher Phil Haig improved to 3-0 on the season as he allowed just one run on eight hits and a walk in six strong innings, striking out three Zips. John Anderson, Blake Fairchild and Mike Sterk worked three near-perfect innings to close out the win and move to 8-2 on the season.

"We weren't extremely sharp, but we played hard and did the things we had to do to get a win today," Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb said. "Phil did great despite not having his best stuff today and the offense continued to add runs in the middle innings until the game was out of reach."

The Illini scored in the first inning for the eighth time in 10 games this season when leadoff man Joe Bonadonna walked after working a full count in his at bat and stole second. DH Casey McMurray followed with a base hit to center that drove in Bonadonna.

Akron tied the game in the fourth with a single tally, but Illinois responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half. Third baseman Dominic Altobelli opened the inning by being plunked and moved to second on a groundout. First baseman Matt Dittman singled and Altobelli scored when the relay throw by Akron's third baseman sailed over the catcher's head. After Dittman moved to third on a groundout, Argo singled to left to drive in Dittman and push Illinois ahead, 3-1.

Haig posted a scoreless fifth and second baseman Josh Parr led off the Illini half of the inning by being hit by a pitch. He stole second and moved to third on a groundout. McMurray was hit by a pitch and Wikoff drove in Parr with a base hit. McMurray moved to third on the play and Wikoff slid safely into second on the throw to third. McMurray scored on a passed ball and, one out later, Wikoff scored when catcher Aaron Johnson doubled down the right-field line for a 6-1 lead.

After another scoreless inning by the Zips, Illinois added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Cappetta laced a single past the pitcher's right ear and stole second. He scored on Argo's double, which chased Akron starter Frank Turocy from the game. Argo moved up a station on a groundout and scored on Bonadonna's base hit up the middle. Bonadonna advanced to second on a balk and to third on a flyout. Wikoff lifted a lazy fly ball to left, which was dropped, allowing Bonadonna to trot home for a 9-1 advantage.

Illinois tacked on a run in the eighth when pinch hitter Daniel Parker walked and, two outs later, Altobelli walked. Pinch hitter Adam Davis ripped a base hit to center that drove home Parker to reach the final score of 10-1.

In addition to the multiple-hit games by Cappetta and Argo, Johnson was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, and Bonadonna stole a base and scored twice. Eight Illini starters had a hit and eight starters also scored at least one run.

Haig threw 65 of 99 pitches for strikes (65.7 percent) and reached a three-ball count only four times. He only allowed three runners past second base and induced 10 groundball outs. Anderson worked out of a jam for a clean seventh inning and Fairchild struck out two hitters in the eighth. Sterk got a pair of groundouts before inducing a foul-out to end the game.

The Illini and the Zips square off in a doubleheader Saturday at noon, with both games slated for seven innings. Illinois will send Ben Reeser and Bryan Roberts to the hill.