CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois scored 13 runs in the first five innings Tuesday to beat Western Michigan 13-3. Mark Skonieczny hit a three-run home run, Trent Hammond had an inside-the-park homer and Michael Massey was a triple away from the cycle.
Illinois (15-19, 3-6 Big Ten) won for the ninth time in the last 12 games. The Illini had 14 hits and Western Michigan made five errors as Illinois came within two runs of tying its season high.
Massey finished the day 3 for 5 with a double, homer, three RBIs and three runs scored. Tyler Engel, who was making his first career start, Casey Dodge, Skonieczny and Doran Turchin all had two hits.
Skonieczny and Hammond provided the big blows in a six-run third inning with their home runs. Both finished the day with three RBIs. Hammond's inside-the-parker was Illinois' first since June 2, 2013 when Jordan Parr did it against Georgia Tech.
Illini starter Cole Bellair (3-2) was overshadowed by the offense in a quality start. He tied a season best with six innings pitched, while allowing two runs on six hits and striking out six. Bellair threw 80 pitches, 58 for strikes, and walked just one batter. Zak Devermann (1.0 IP, 0 R), Ryan Thompson (1.0 IP, 1 R) and Zack Jones (1.0 IP, 0 R) each gave Illinois an inning out of the bullpen.
Western Michigan (14-18) was led by solo home runs from Grant Miller and Evan Nelson. The Broncos used six pitchers on a planned bullpen day.
Illinois travels to Purdue this weekend for three games Friday-Sunday. The Illini sit 1.5 games back of the Boilermakers, who are at the cutoff line of qualifying for the Big Ten Tournament. Â
