CONWAY, S.C. – Two Illinois errors Friday led to a seven-run sixth inning for UNC Greensboro in a 20-9 win for the Spartans at Coastal Carolina's Springs Brooks Stadium. The Fighting Illini struggled from the start, taking a 6-3 deficit to the sixth before UNC Greensboro broke the game open.
Illinois (6-4) ace Cody Sedlock (2-1) was tagged with his first loss of season. He allowed six runs before the destructive sixth inning, when six more scored off Sedlock – all unearned runs. Sedlock should have been out of the inning in four batters, but a dropped-third strike passed ball followed by two errors on potential double play grounders prolonged the frame.
After six more UNC Greensboro runs in the seventh, the Illini cleared their bench.
Doran Turchin led the offense with two home runs, the first two homers of the freshman's career, and a triple. Turchin's eighth-inning three-run shot made him the first Illini to homer twice in a game since Reid Roper did it May 10, 2015 against Rutgers. Anthony Drago also homered, as three of Illinois' six hits left the ballpark.
UNC Greensboro (9-4) came into the game with the nation's best batting average. The Spartans pounded out 20 runs, the most against the Illini since No. 1 LSU scored 22 on March 7, 2009, on 21 hits. Four Spartans had multiple hits, including Ryne Sigmon, who went 3 for 6 with a grand slam and six RBIs.
Andrew Wantz (2-0) earned the win after relieved starter Jake Lewis, who went 3.0 innings and allowed two runs. Wantz limited Illinois to one run on one hit and struck out seven in 4.0 innings.
Illinois and UNC Greensboro meet again tomorrow at 11 a.m. CT. The Illini take on Coastal Carolina after the rematch with the Spartans and again at 10 a.m. Sunday.
