MINNEAPOLIS -- Illinois scored 17 runs over the span of four innings of a doubleheader at Minnesota to come from behind and win Game 1 before blowing out the Gophers in Game 2. The Illini won by 9-5 and 14-1 scores to take the series from Minnesota 2-1.
"We bounced back in a big way this weekend," said head coach Dan Hartleb. "I'm really proud of our guys."
Michael Massey led Illinois with six hits on the day, including a homer in the nightcap, to extend his career-best hitting streak to 13 games. Jack Yalowitz smashed a game-winning grand slam in Game 1 and followed with a leadoff homer in Game 2. Bren Spillane hit the Illini's second grand slam of the day in the fifth inning of the second game.
"Today we showed a lot of resilience," said Hartleb. "We had a huge comeback and then turned around and hammered them in the second game."
Illinois (18-23, 5-10 Big Ten) won its second Big Ten series out of its last three three-game sets.
Minnesota (25-14, 9-6 Big Ten) lost for the sixth time in its last eight Big Ten games.
Game 1 - Illinois 9, Minnesota 5
Jack Yalowitz capped a seven-run ninth inning with a go-ahead grand slam to lead Illinois to a 9-5 win at Minnesota in Game 1 of a doubleheader. Illinois trailed 5-2 entering the ninth before seven straight batters reached base and scored with one out.
Yalowitz was the first batter reliever Tim Shannon faced after the Illini scored four runs off of NCAA saves leader Brian Glowicki. Glowicki (1-1) took the loss as his season ERA ballooned from 0.37 to 1.85. He previously had allowed just one earned run all season.
Illinois freshman Michael Massey singled with one out to start the ninth-inning rally. He led the Illini with his fourth three-hit game in the last seven, extending his career-long hitting streak to 12 games.
Mark Skonieczny also had four hits and Yalowitz tied his career high with five RBIs.
Ryan Schmitt (4-1) earned his four win in his last five outings by throwing 3 1/3 innings without allowing a run. Schmitt allowed three hits and struck out three in relief of Cyrillo Watson (4.2 IP, 1 ER) and Quinten Sefcik (1.0 IP, 4 ER).
Minnesota had 11 hits but left 13 runners on base.
Game 2 - Illinois 14, Minnesota 1
Michael Massey had three more hits, including a first-inning homer that followed Jack Yalowitz's leadoff dinger, as Illinois cruised to a 14-1 win over Minnesota to clinch the series. The Illini scored eight runs in the third inning, the most by Illinois in an inning this season.
Illinois totaled 11 hits including five in the third frame. The big lead was cushioned even more when Bren Spillane's grand slam smacked off the batter's eye in the fifth inning to make it 14-1.
Matthew James (1-1) quietly worked through the Gophers lineup while Illinois continued to plate runs. He delivered a quality start with six innings pitched, allowing just one run on five hits, to get his first win of the year.
