ST. LOUIS -- The Illinois baseball team's seven-game winning streak was stopped Wednesday in an 8-3 loss at Saint Louis. The Illini and Billikens split the two-game midweek series.
Illinois (14-4) outhit Saint Louis 10-8 but issued seven walks and left nine runners on base. The Illini lost for the first time since March 4.Â
Saint Louis (10-10) got a career day from No. 9-hole hitter Kevin Jordan, who went 3-for-3 with a homer and five RBIs. Jordan hit a two-RBI double in the second and a two-run homer in the fourth to give SLU the lead it never surrendered. No. 8-hole hitter Zach Freiling also had three hits and scored three runs.
Illinois was led by two hits apiece from Kellen Sarver and Cam McDonald. Ben Troike, Michael Massey and Jack Yalowitz drove in runs for the Illini.Â
Illinois is back at Illinois Field this weekend to take on Illinois State in a three-game series Friday-Sunday. Â
Notes
• Illinois' seven-game winning streak tied its longest since winning 27 straight in 2015.Â
• Nathan Lavender (0-1) took the loss in his first career start (3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO).
• Saint Louis' lineup featured three sons of former major leaguers (1B Shane Benes, SS Kevin Jordan, P Luke Matheny). Â
• Hitting streaks: McDonald 4, Korte 3, Taylor 3
• Reached base streaks: Troike 7, Sarver 6, Taylor 5, Korte 4
• Illinois center fielder Zac Taylor has missed the last five games with an injury.
