CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Illinois baseball team used six pitchers for a combined two-hitter Tuesday in a 9-1 win against Southern Illinois at Illinois Field. The offense was sparked by homers from Doran Turchin and Zac Taylor during a five-run fifth inning.
Cyrillo Watson (1-1) got the win in three innings of work, allowing only one unearned run on two hits. He was taken out due to a predetermined pitch limit.
The bullpen started with 16 straight batters retired from the fourth until the ninth inning. Illinois' six pitchers combined to strike out 12 Saluki hitters.
Illinois (26-14) scored its most runs in two weeks to clinch the season series against Southern Illinois (24-21) 3-1. The Illini had 13 hits, including four for extra bases.
Turchin led the Illini with three hits and tied a career high with four RBIs. Michael Massey had two hits and scored two runs and Taylor added a double to go along with his homer.
Illinois is back at Illinois Field this weekend for three games against Ohio State. The Bleacher Bum BBQ kicks off the series Friday night at 6 p.m. CT.
Notes
• Illinois played its final midweek game of the season.
• Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb is 20-14 against his alma mater Southern Illinois.
• Illinois is 38-39 all-time against Southern Illinois.
• Illinois is 19-3 when scoring five or more runs and 25-7 when scoring three or more runs.
• Illinois is 18-3 when outhitting opponents
• Ben Troike extended his reached base streak to 45 games, the fifth-longest active streak in the nation.
