CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Doug Hayes fired his second complete game and his first career shutout to lead the Illinois baseball team to a 2-0 win over No. 19 Minnesota Friday night at Illinois Field. The Fighting Illini salvaged a split of the doubleheader after dropping the first game, 3-1.
Hayes (6-3) scattered eight hits, as only three Gophers reached scoring position. The left-hander struck out six, one away from tying his career high, and walked just one to blank Minnesota. The Gophers entered the doubleheader with the Big Ten's best team batting average at .324.
Hayes dropped his season ERA to 2.93 in tying his longest outing. He threw a complete game one-hitter against Penn State on March 26 at Illinois Field.
Illinois (21-18, 7-7 Big Ten) was outhit by Minnesota, 8-6, but a timely hit from Trent Hammond in the second inning was the difference. Hammond singled up the middle with the bases loaded and one out in the second inning to score Dan Rowbottom and Mark Skonieczny. Adam Walton had moved the runners to second and third with a single in his first game back after missing two straight with an injury.
Walton was the only Illini with multiple hits and Doran Turchin provided the lone extra-base hit on a first-inning double.
Minnesota (26-13, 10-3 Big Ten) remains atop the Big Ten standings despite the loss. Dalton Sawyer took the decision for the Gophers, throwing 7.0 innings and allowing two runs on six hits.
The third game of the series has yet to be scheduled. The teams will make a decision based on the weather forecast Saturday morning.
