Illini Drop 9-3 Loss to Columbia

Sunday, March 6

DeLand, Fla.

9:00 AM

University of Illinois

3-6

Columbia

2-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Illinois	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	1	3	5	2
Columbia	4	0	0	0	1	2	0	2	X	9	10	2

Casey McMurray was 2-for-4 with a double and a run in Illinois' 9-3 loss to Columbia.

March 6, 2011 | Baseball

Box Score

March 6, 2011

Box Score

DELAND, Fla. - Illinois gave up a four-run first inning to Columbia and couldn't recover as the Lions took a 9-3 win in the teams' final game of the Bright House Invitational. Left fielder Casey McMurray led the Illini, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run, as Illinois fell to 3-6 on the season.

"We weren't very good on the mound or defensively early in the game and we couldn't recover all game," Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb said. "We just didn't play well this weekend. We need to regroup and get better in all aspects."

Columbia scored first, pushing across four runs in the bottom of the first. After a leadoff double, Illini starter Corey Kimes walked the next batter and gave up a base hit that loaded the bases. Back-to-back singles drove in three runs and another runner scored on a poor relay throw by second baseman Justin Parr in an attempt to turn a double play, giving the Lions a 4-0 lead.

Kimes worked around a one-out base hit in the second to post a scoreless frame and only a two-out walk in the third kept him from a perfect inning.

The Illini got a run back in the fourth when left fielder Casey McMurray led off the inning with a base hit. Catcher Adam Davis doubled to left and McMurray scored on a groundout by first baseman Matt Dittman, bringing the Illini within 4-1.

But the Lions added another run in the fifth after a one-out double and an error by center fielder Willie Argo to go ahead 5-1. Columbia tacked on two more runs in the sixth after reliever Matt Milroy gave up a leadoff walk, a base hit, a steal and an RBI single. Luke Joyce replaced Milroy and surrendered a walk to load the bases before recording a strikeout. He induced a groundout that brought in another run, pushing the Lions' lead to 7-1.

Illinois pushed a run across in the eighth when DH Davis Hendrickson reached on an error and moved to second on a groundout by pinch hitter Pat Sheehan. Pinch hitter Thomas Lindauer punched a single through the left side, driving in Hendrickson. McMurray doubled down the left-field line but pinch hitter Ryan Arrick flied out to end the inning as Illinois cut the deficit to 7-3.

Columbia added two runs in the bottom of the eighth when reliever Lee Zerrusen gave up a pair of two-out walks followed by a two-run double, pushing the Lions' lead to 9-3.

Illinois tried to rally in the ninth when Dittman led off the frame with a double and moved to third on a wild pitch. Pinch hitter Thomas Shelton drove him in with a groundout, but the Illini couldn't put more of a dent in Columbia's lead, falling 9-3.

McMurray led the offense, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run, while Dittman was 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run. Lindauer went 1-for-1 with an RBI and Shelton also drove in a run. Relievers Bill Barrett and Joyce posted scoreless frames for the Illini.

Illinois returns to action on Friday when it opens a three-game series at Western Kentucky. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.