FT. MYERS, Fla. – Cody Sedlock threw 7.0 strong innings and J.D. Nielsen earned his first save by facing the final six batters as the Illinois baseball team started a three-game series at Florida Gulf Coast with a 4-2 victory. The Illini won its second straight game after staring the year with two losses.
"I thought our pitching was outstanding," said head coach Dan Hartleb. "Cody Sedlock really battled. Last week he had a great breaking ball that he threw for strikes. Today he had a good breaking ball but couldn't command it for a strike so he found a way to win with his fastball."
Sedlock (1-0), who struck out 10 Tulane batters on Opening Day last Friday, allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out four. FGCU's only runs came in the second and fourth innings after leadoff extra-base hits to start the frames.
Nielsen (1) struck out the first three batters he faced and came back for the ninth, ultimately getting the Fighting Illini's fourth double-play ball to end the game. The 6-foot-6 lefty threw 19 pitches, while allowing only one hit in 2.0 innings of work.
"[Nielsen] really ate up the left-handed hitters," said Hartleb. "He was just really sharp."
Illinois (2-2) gave Sedlock leads in the top of the second and fourth innings by plating one run in each, before FGCU (1-4) answered in its respective bottom halves. Jack Yalowitz singled up the middle on the first pitch he saw of his collegiate career for a second-inning RBI and fellow freshman Doran Turchin singled through the right side to score the Illini's fourth-inning run.
Turchin later factored in getting the Illini the lead for good in the sixth by grounding out to second to drive home Jason Goldstein, who had doubled and advanced to third after one of Pat McInerney's two hits on the day. McInerney scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-2.
Illinois outhit FGCU, 10-8, including six hits with runners on. The Eagles went 2 for 4 with runners in scoring position, while the Illini were 4 for 14. Turchin had three hits and McInerney and Adam Walton each picked up two.
"Offensively I thought we were much better today," said Hartleb. "We used the entire field, we hit from top to bottom in the order. I thought our guys took good swings."
Nick Rivera and Brady Anderson led FGCU with two hits apiece. Sterling Koerner (0-2) allowed four runs on eight hits in 6.0 innings to take the loss.
Tomorrow's Game 2 of the series is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT with Doug Hayes getting the start on the mound for the Illini. The game can be heard live on the Fighting Illini Sports Network with Mike Waddell on the call.
