CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- Two bad innings doomed the Illinois baseball team Saturday against nationally-ranked Houston. The Illini took a 5-0 lead to the bottom of the fourth inning but allowed the Cougars to score seven runs in the fourth and four more in the eighth for an 11-5 final.
 "I think you have to learn to win," said Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb. "Learning to pitch and play with a lead is something we have to get better at…We have to compete better in those situations."
Illinois (2-4) starter Quinten Sefcik (0-2) looked in control through the first three innings before the final eight batters he faced reached, including seven on singles. Houston scored seven runs on seven hits - none for extra bases - and an error in the fourth and added four insurance runs on three hits in the eighth. Sefcik finished with a line of 3 1/3 innings pitched, nine hits and seven runs allowed.
The Illini jumped ahead with four runs in the third inning off an RBI double from Jack Yalowitz, an RBI single by Pat McInerney and a two-out bases-loaded two-RBI single off the bat of David Craan. Two Houston errors led to a run in the fourth but Illinois' 5-0 lead quickly vanished.
Every player in Houston's (4-2) lineup had a hit and seven players had two or more. The Cougars were also helped by the Illini walking five batters and hitting four with pitches.
Houston, which is ranked No. 19 in the nation by Perfect Game and No. 25 by D1Baseball.com, shut down the Illini with its bullpen. Brayson Hurdsman (4.1 IP, 1 R) and Aaron Fletcher (2.0 IP, 0 R) combined for 6 1/3 innings without surrendering an earned run after starter Mitch Ullom was tagged for four runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings.
McInerney led the Illini offense with three hits, while Craan had a 2-for-3 day. Both McInerney and Craan have five hits during the first two days of the weekend.
Illinois returns to Whataburger Field at 11 a.m. Sunday to face Missouri. Freshman Ty Weber will get the start on the hill for the Illini.
