May 7, 2010

Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Illinois used a three-run rally in the top of the ninth, including a bases-loaded walk and a two-run single by first baseman Mike Giller, and closer Bryan Roberts recorded all three outs in the bottom half of the inning with men on first and third to lock up a 6-3 win over Ohio State at Bill Davis Stadium on Friday. Catcher Aaron Johnson went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored, and Kevin Manson allowed only two runs in 5 1/3 innings of relief to keep the Illini in the game after entering with the bases loaded in the second inning.

"That was a great college ballgame," Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb said. "Manson did a good job of coming in in a jam and pitching out of it, and that was big for us. There just isn't any quit in this team and I'm so proud of them for that. And what really excites me is that we swung the bats well tonight."

Illinois (22-21 overall, 7-9 in the Big Ten) got on top with a run in the second when Johnson ripped a leadoff double to left. One out later, third baseman Brandon Hohl was plunked in the head and had to leave the game, being replaced by Pete Cappetta, and DH Thomas Shelton lined a single through the left side to drive in Johnson for a 1-0 lead.

But OSU (24-18, 8-8) responded with a run in the second when Illini starter Lee Zerrusen walked the bases loaded before being relieved by Manson. Manson induced a hot shot to Cappetta at third, which he fired home for the first out. Johnson's throw to first went off the batter, who was called out for interfering with the play, resulting in a double play and meaning the other two runners returned to first and second. Left fielder Zach Hurley singled to shallow center to drive in a run but Manson coaxed a fly-out to center fielder Willie Argo to hold the Buckeyes to a single run as they tied the game 1-1.

Ohio State grabbed its first lead of the night when it bunched together three consecutive singles in the third inning, pulling ahead 2-1. But Illinois responded with two runs in the top of the fourth on three hits. Johnson started the inning with a single through the left side and, after an out, Cappetta walked. He earned a free pass on a 3-2 pitch, which meant Johnson was moving on the pitch. OSU catcher Dan Burkhart didn't hear the home-plate umpire's ball call and sent a throw sailing into center field, allowing Johnson to advance to third. Shelton then smacked a single back up the middle to drive in Johnson and move Cappetta to third. Second baseman Christian Cummins then pushed a bunt toward second base to drive home Cappetta and reach on a bunt single, giving the Illini a 3-2 lead.

But OSU tied it up in the bottom of the fourth on a two-out solo homer by second baseman Cory Kovanda, evening the score at 3-3. The Illini looked to get something going in the fifth when right fielder Craig Lutes drew a one-out walk before he was put out on left fielder Casey McMurray's grounder to the third baseman. Johnson ripped a double to the left-field corner and the throw went to second base, but McMurray held at third, putting runners at second and third. But first baseman Mike Giller grounded out to the second baseman to retire the side with the score still tied 3-3.

Illinois once again had something brewing in the sixth when Cappetta lined a first-pitch leadoff single to left. After consecutive fly-outs, Parr singled to OSU shortstop Tyler Engle deep in the hole and his throw to second to attempt to retire Cappetta sailed into right field, allowing Cappetta to advance to third. Argo then chopped one down the third-base line, which OSU third baseman Cory Rupert gloved, bobbled and threw a one-hopper to first base and Argo was called out on a bang-bang play to retire the side.

The Buckeyes were in a very advantageous situation in the bottom of the seventh when Burkhart roped a one-out double to left-center and Manson intentionally walked center fielder Michael Stephens. DH Ryan Dew then singled to right, loading the bases and ending Manson's night. Wes Braun came on in relief and induced an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play on a 2-1 count to squirm out of the jam and keep the game tied 3-3.

Illinois finally broke through in the ninth when Cummins led off by poking an 0-2 pitch through the right side for a base hit. Parr then laced a first-pitch double to right-center, putting runners on second and third with nobody out. Argo struck out and Lutes was intentionally walked to load the bases. But Rucinski then walked McMurray to force in a run and give the Illini a 4-3 lead. Johnson struck out for the second out of the inning but Giller ripped a single through the right side to bring home Parr and Lutes barely beat Burkhart's tag to put the Illini up 6-3.

Illinois closer Bryan Roberts came on to pitch the bottom of the ninth and gave up a leadoff double and a single to put men on the corners with no outs. But he got Burkhart to foul out to Cappetta and struck out Stephens. He then induced a grounder up the middle by Dew that Parr grabbed on the run and flipped to Giller, who made a nice stretch to beat Dew by a half-step for the final out.

Manson allowed two runs on eight hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings of work, continuing his strong work out of the bullpen this year. Braun tossed 1 2/3 perfect innings and Roberts pitched a scoreless ninth to move into fourth place on the Illinois single-season saves record list with eight and fifth place on the school record list for saves in a Big Ten season with five.

In addition to Johnson's night at the plate, Shelton was 2-for-5 with two RBIs, Cummins went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run, and Parr was 2-for-4 with a double and a run. Cappetta was 1-for-2 with two walks and a run, and Giller was 1-for-5 with two RBIs.

Illinois and Ohio State square off in game two of the series Saturday at 12:05 p.m. CT. Freshman Kevin Johnson will toe the rubber for the Illini, while the Buckeyes will give the ball to junior Dean Wolosiansky.