WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Cyrillo Watson threw six shutout innings to lead the Illinois baseball team to a 4-0 win against Sacred Heart at David F. Couch Ballpark. The Fighting Illini swept the three-game weekend with wins over Georgetown, No. 20 Wake Forest and Sacred Heart.
"I thought our guys did a great job," said head coach Dan Hartleb. "First of all, we had unbelievable pitching. Our starter Cyrillo Watson was outstanding."
Watson struck out a career-high eight while scattering five hits and not allowing a walk. Only twice did a runner reach scoring position against Watson.
Illinois' (3-0) bullpen was just as sharp as Watson, going the final three frames without allowing a hit. Jimmy Burnette (0.1 IP), Ryan Schmitt (1.2 IP, 2 K) and Aidan Maldonado (1.0 IP, 1 K) went the final three innings with little trouble.
Sacred Heart (1-2) outhit Illinois 5-4, but the Illini manufactured single runs in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Zac Taylor led the Illini with two doubles and freshmen Cam McDonald and Branden Comia drove in one run each.
"The thing that the box score won't show is I thought we had quality at-bats," said Hartleb. "Line drives that were caught, a lot of good at-bats, sometimes they just don't fall for hits."
Taylor was robbed of extra-bases in the first inning, inches away from his second homer of the weekend, yet still managed to finish the series with a team-best six hits and five stolen bases. Cam McDonald and Michael Massey had four hits apiece on the weekend and McDonald led Illinois with four RBIs.
Illinois, whose team ERA sits at 1.33, has started 3-0 for the fourth time in the last 20 seasons (2000, 2003, 2015).
The Illini are back on the diamond next weekend for a three-game series at Florida Atlantic.
Notes
• Illinois started 3-0 for the 36th time in 140 seasons, including the fourth time in Dan Hartleb's 29 seasons as an Illini assistant or head coach.
• Opponent are 1-for-20 with runners in scoring position against Illinois this season.
• Illinois' bullpen has combined for 11.2 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 13 K this season.
• Illinois struck out 29 batters while walking only nine on the weekend. Opponents are hitting .179 against Illinois.
