Feb. 15, 2015
Box Score | Printable Box Score | Photos | Hartleb Interview
BEAUMONT, Texas - Junior Tyler Jay dazzled in his first career start and the offense dominated the day with 19 hits in a 9-3 win over Lamar. Illinois swept its opening weekend at the Lamar Cardinal Classic and began the season 4-0 for the first time since 2000.
"We had great pitching again today," head coach Dan Hartleb said. "Tyler Jay went out and gave us a great start. Offensively, I was really pleased we had quality at-bats with runners in scoring position. The Ropers had great games today with three hits each. It can be a special team, but we have a long way to go. We have to be better at the end of the year than we are right now."
Illinois backed Jay with eight runs over the first four innings. Senior Casey Fletcher got the scoring started in the second inning, crossing home after an errant Lamar throw sailed into the outfield trying to catch senior David Kerian stealing second base. The Illini then posted a three-run third and a four-run fourth.
Consecutive singles by Pat McInerney and Adam Walton and a sac bunt by senior Will Krug set up the scoring in the third. Redshirt-senior Reid Roper reached on an error, allowing both McInerney and Walton to touch home, while junior Jason Goldstein followed with an RBI single for a 4-0 advantage.
The Illini posted all four of its runs with two outs in the fourth for an 8-0 edge. Krug smoked an RBI double, Reid Roper poked a two-run single and junior Ryan Nagle added an RBI single.
Jay allowed an infield single to the Lamar leadoff hitter before sitting down the next 14 Cardinals. He cruised through his five scoreless innings with six strikeouts and only two hits on 63 pitches.
Four Illini hurlers finished out the game. Redshirt-junior Charlie Naso allowed the first run of the game in the sixth, while redshirt-junior Andrew Mamlic turned in two scoreless innings of relief. Senior Josh Ferry was charged with two runs in the ninth before sophomore Cody Sedlock closed it out.
Sophomore Ryne Roper knocked in the Orange and Blue's ninth run on an RBI double in the seventh. He equaled a career-high three hits for the second time on the weekend, while his brother Reid Roper went 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. Every Illini starter recorded a hit on the afternoon.
Illinois hit .357 and outscored its opponents 26-7 on the weekend. The Illini pitching staff posted a 1.46 ERA with a .130 opposing average.
UI's four starting pitchers - Drasen Johnson, Rob McDonnell, John Kravetz and Jay - combined for a 0.34 ERA over 26.1 innings pitched with 25 strikeouts and only eight hits and three walks. Their only run allowed was a solo home run in the third game.
Up Next: Illinois will be back in action next week in Fort Myers, Fla., with two games against Florida Gulf Coast and one against Fordham from Feb. 20-22.
