WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The Illinois baseball team began its 140th season Friday with an 11-3 win over Georgetown at David F. Couch Ballpark. Illinois scored in six of nine innings to cruise to its 1-0 start.
"There were a lot of really good things," said head coach Dan Hartleb. "The thing I thought we did well was compete. Just a solid outing for us on both sides."
Zac Taylor homered and was one of five Illini with two hits, as Illinois scored its most Opening Day runs since 2013 (13-2 win at Tennessee Tech). Branden Comia, Michael Massey, Cam McDonald and Grant Van Scoy all had two hits and David Craan added a ninth-inning opposite field home run.
Illinois (1-0) pounded out 14 hits and had six of nine leadoff men reach base. The Illini held Georgetown (0-1) to eight hits and 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.Â
Left-hander Josh Harris (1-0) earned his first collegiate win by throwing 2/3 of an inning in relief of starter Quinn Snarskis, who left the game tied 2-2 after allowing two earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. Harris, a former Marine and junior college transfer, was relieved by Ty Weber, who worked 3 2/3 scoreless innings while scattering three hits and striking out four.Â
Aidan Maldonado struck out two on only eight pitches in a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Illinois is back Saturday at David F. Couch Ballpark for a matchup against No. 20 Wake Forest. Andy Fisher is scheduled to start on the mound for Illinois against Wake Forest RHP Colin Peluse, the No. 88 MLB Draft prospect according to D1Baseball.com.
Notes
• Illinois scored in five of six innings it had the leadoff man reach.
• In an unlikely feat, SS Grant Van Scoy did not touch the baseball during live action.
• Happy birthday to Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb.
• Attendance: 163
