March 13, 2010

Box Score

Illinois jumped out to a 3-0 lead but No. 12 Coastal Carolina put up a seven-run sixth inning and added two more in the seventh on for a 9-4 win at the Caravelle Resort Classic. Designated hitter Casey McMurray hit his second home run in as many nights - doubling his career total - and center fielder Willie Argo was 2-for-3 for the Illini.

"Two things that you have to do to be successful is pitch and play defense and we haven't been solid in those areas," Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb said. "Kevin Johnson pitched well and should've won the game. He did start to struggle there in the sixth, but for a young guy, he's been very good and we haven't given him any help out of the bullpen."

The Illini scored first, pushing across a run in the second when DH Casey McMurray reached on an error by the third baseman and moved to second when center fielder Willie Argo legged out an infield hit. One out later, right fielder Craig Lutes singled home McMurray for a 1-0 lead.

McMurray continued his hot weekend in the fourth inning, smacking a 2-1 pitch from Coastal starter Jim Birmingham over the left-field fence for his second homer in as many games, pushing the Illini ahead 2-0.

Illinois tacked on another run in the sixth when first baseman Matt Dittman was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a wild pitch. Dittman moved up a base on McMurray's flyout to center field and came home on another wild pitch, giving the Illini a 3-0 lead.

But starter Kevin Johnson stumbled in the bottom of the sixth after starting the inning with a one-hitter in place. Johnson surrendered a double, a single and a walk before being relieved by Nick Chmielewski. But Chmielewski couldn't stifle the Coastal rally, giving up a walk before getting an out on a ground ball, then allowing a double and a single sandwiched around a strikeout. Chmielewski was relieved by Mike Sterk, who gave up an RBI double and made a bad pickoff throw to second, allowing another run to score, before inducing a line-out to Dittman to escape the inning with the Chanticleers leading 7-3.

Coastal tacked on two more runs in the seventh on a pair of doubles, a single and an error to go ahead 9-3. Illinois looked to threaten in the eighth, loading the bases with no outs on three consecutive singles, but third baseman Brandon Hohl struck out, Lutes knocked in one run with a sacrifice fly and shortstop Josh Parr grounded out to end the inning with the Illini trailing 9-4.

Wes Braun worked a clean bottom of the eighth inning and Giller knocked a one-out single in the ninth but the Illini couldn't capitalize, falling 9-4.

Illinois finishes action in the Caravelle Resort Classic Sunday at 11 a.m. against Ball State.