CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Ohio State's Ronnie Dawson went 4 for 5 with a home run Saturday to lead the Buckeyes to a 9-1 win over the Illinois baseball team at Illinois Field. Ohio State had 15 hits a day after the Fighting Illini blanked OSU, 1-0, in 15 innings.
Ohio State (25-13-1, 5-6 Big Ten) scored single runs in the second, fourth, fifth and seventh innings before breaking the game open with Dawson's two-run homer as part of a three-run eighth inning. Dawson, the No. 3 hitter, helped Ohio State's No. 3-6 hitters go 10 for 17 with three runs and four RBIs.
Illinois (19-17, 5-6 Big Ten) got 6.1 innings from starting pitcher Doug Hayes, who allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits. The Illini bullpen had gone 23.2 consecutive innings without allowing a run before being tagged for five runs in 2.2 innings today.
Michael Hurwitz extended his hitting streak to 12 games with two hits and Trent Hammond added two singles. Ohio State outhit Illinois, 15-7.
John Havird (4-1) earned the win by going the first 5.0 innings, while allowing one run on five hits. Ryan Feltner threw 4.0 shutout frames to pick up his second save.
The rubber match of the series is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. CT. Cole Bellair (1-2, 3.05) is scheduled to face Ohio State right-hander Adam Niemeyer (3-1, 3.23).
