CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Five Illinois pitchers allowed just five hits Tuesday but the Illini offense could not get started in a 2-0 loss to Bradley at Illinois Field. Illinois had seven hits and stranded nine runners on base.
Cyrillo Watson (1-2) was the tough-luck loser for Illinois. He allowed just one run on four hits in five innings, while striking out one and not allowing a walk.
Illinois (6-15) outhit Bradley (10-12) 7-5 and had two players with two hits. Doran Turchin had two singles, Trent Hammond had two singles and Pat McInerney and Dan Rowbottom each added doubles.
Rowbottom's double came in the ninth to get the tying run to the plate. After David Craan walked, a wild pitch put the trying run on second with two outs, but Hammond struck out to end the game.
Cole Cook (6-0) stayed undefeated on the year for Bradley and dropped his ERA to 1.69. The lefty went the first four innings scoreless, before being pulled due to a predetermined pitch count, while allowing three hits and a walk. Allan Beer (3.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R) and Eric Scheuermann (S, 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R) finished off Illinois.
The Illini's bullpen gave the lineup a chance with Zack Jones (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), Quinten Sefcik (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER), Ryan Schmitt (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Joey Gerber (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R) each getting some midweek work.
Illinois returns to Illinois Field this weekend when Indiana State visits for three games Friday-Sunday.
