NOTE: Tomorrow's game (Sunday, March 13) at Coastal Carolina has been moved to 10:30 a.m. ET. It was originally scheduled for 11 a.m. ET.
CONWAY, S.C. – Errors and a lack of timely hitting proved costly Saturday for the Illinois baseball team. The Fighting Illini committed seven errors in losses to UNC Greensboro, 5-4 in 10 innings, and Costal Carolina, 10-4, at the Coastal Carolina Invitational.
Illinois left 22 runners on base in the games, including 13 in the nightcap loss to the host Chanticleers. In the opener, the Illini spoiled a dazzling outing from freshman Cole Bellair by allowing a game-tying home run in the ninth inning and a walk-off single in the 10th.
Coastal Carolina 10, Illinois 4
Doran Turchin and Pat McInerney combined for four hits and two RBIs, including one on a solo home run by McInerney, but four errors and 13 runners left on base doomed the Illini. McInerney had four hits in the doubleheader, as Illinois dropped three straight for the first time in 2016.
Coastal Carolina (8-7) broke out to a 5-0 lead through four innings on a solo homer by Zach Remillard in the first – his sixth of the year – and four runs in the fourth. The Chanticleers never trailed, although the Illini fought to within three on two separate occasions.
Doug Hayes (2-2) took the loss after allowing seven runs (five earned) in 5.0 innings. He allowed eight hits, walked three and struck out two. Joey Gerber allowed three runs (two earned) in 1.2 innings of relief, Charlie Naso retired the only batter he faced and Jack Yalowitz worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning.
Bobby Holmes (1-1) slowed the Illinois bats, allowing just one earned run on four hits in 3.1 innings of relief to take the win. Starting pitcher Cole Shaeffer left with a 5-1 lead but only finished 4.2 innings.
Remillard was one of four Chanticleers with multiple hits. Catcher David Parrett drove in three runs despite going 0 for 1.
Illinois (6-6) and Coastal Carolina (8-7) meet again tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. CT.
UNC Greensboro 5, Illinois 4 (10 innings)
Cole Bellair went 7.0 innings without allowing an earned run, but UNC Greensboro came from behind to beat Illinois, 5-4, in 10 innings at Coastal Carolina's Springs Brooks Stadium. Jake Kusz hit a game-tying home run in the ninth and Michael Goss singled up the middle with two outs in the 10th to give UNCG the victory.
Bellair held the nation's top hitting team to four hits and one run (unearned), while striking out four in his first career start. UNCG entered the game with a .366 batting average, the best mark in NCAA Division I.
UNC Greensboro (11-4) stormed back, after trailing 4-1 through seven frames, with two runs in the eighth inning off J.D. Nielsen, and one in the ninth and 10th off of closer Nick Blackburn.
Illinois (6-5) was led by Adam Walton's two hits and two runs scored. Pat McInerney doubled twice, as UNC Greensboro out-hit the Illini, 10-9.
