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University of Illinois Athletics

Andy Fisher
5
Winner Illinois ILL 2-0
2
Wake Forest WF 1-1
Winner
Illinois ILL
2-0
5
Final
2
Wake Forest WF
1-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Illinois ILL 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 0 5 10 0
Wake Forest WF 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 4 3

W: Leland, Sean (1-0) L: Ryan Cusick (0-1) S: Acton, Garrett (1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Illinois Beats No. 20 Wake Forest 5-2

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Illinois scored three runs in the eighth inning to take down No. 20 Wake Forest, 5-2, at David F. Couch Ballpark. Illinois started the season 2-0 for the first time since 2015 when the Illini went 50-10-1 and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional.

"We came out to win," said head coach Dan Hartleb. "Some teams may get intimidated by a certain situation, but our guys did an unbelievable job competing. We had great energy, bunch of clutch hits, and the young guys all contributed in a big big way."

Freshman Cam McDonald led the Illini with two go-ahead RBI hits, including the winner in eighth. The class of true freshmen (McDonald, Branden Comia, Jacob Campbell) combined to go 3-for-10 with four runs score and two RBIs and redshirt freshman Kellen Sarver added an RBI double in the big eighth inning. 

On the other side, veterans got it done for Illinois on the mound. Redshirt senior Andy Fisher took a no-hitter to the fifth before allowing two runs while striking out seven in 5 2/3 innings. Fisher gave way to fellow redshirt senior Sean Leland (1-0), who was nearly untouchable while getting seven straight outs to earn the win.

Illinois limited Wake Forest to 4-for-30 at the plate and 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position. The top four in the Wake Forest lineup was held to 1-for-15 with five strikeouts. 

Illinois had 10 hits, as eight of nine starters had at least one hit. Zac Taylor had his second straight multi-hit game to stay tied with McDonald for the team-lead in hits (4). 

Wake Forest (1-1) brought the potential tying run to the plate in the ninth before Garrett Acton closed the door. Acton, a transfer from Parkland College, recorded his first save in his first appearance with Illinois. 

The Illini are back at David F. Couch Ballpark for the weekend finale against Sacred Heart. Cyrillo Watson is scheduled to start for Illinois. 

Notes

• Illinois is the fifth unranked team to beat a top-25 team (D1Baseball.com poll).
     • Oregon def. No. 3 Texas Tech, 9-4
     • Wright State def. No. 10 Ole Miss, 9-5
     • UT Rio Grande Valley def. No. 18 Oklahoma State, 5-2
     • South Alabama def. No. 24 Clemson, 4-3
• The win was Illinois' fourth over a ranked team in the last two years. 
• Illinois played error free while Wake Forest made three errors.
• This is Illinois best start since 2015, when the Illini started 6-0. 
• Jacob Campbell and Kellen Sarver started for the first time. 
• Opponents are just 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position against Illinois in the first two games. 
• Former Illini great Bubba Smith was in attendance.
• Attendance: 507

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