CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Ty Weber was an out away from a shutout Saturday before the Illinois baseball team finished a 4-2 win over Illinois State at Illinois Field. The Illini clinched the series ahead of Sunday's 12 p.m. CT finale.
Weber (1-0) was brilliant in the first eight innings, striking out five and allowing only four hits while keeping Illinois State off the board. The Redbirds got three hits in the ninth to bring the tying run to the plate before Garrett Acton came in to strikeout the final batter and register his eighth save.
Weber was in search of his third career complete game, ultimately allowing two runs on seven hits in 8 2/3 innings. The junior right-hander has been exceptional in 2019, as his ERA rose from 1.29 to 1.52 in the Illini staff's best start of the season.
Illinois' (16-4) offense was led by three hits and two runs scored from Branden Comia. Cam McDonald added two hits and two RBIs, Michael Massey had two hits, including a run scoring double in the seventh, and Jeff Korte hit a run-scoring double off the wall in the fourth that was inches from his third homer of the season.
Illinois has won nine of its last 10 games, while outscoring opponents 69-34. The Illini are hitting .330 with a 2.35 team ERA and holding opponents to a .180 batting average during the 10-game stretch.
Illinois State (13-8) had starter Jeff Lindgren (2-2) take the loss after allowing three runs on eight scattered hits in six innings. The Redbirds only took four at-bats with runners in scoring position.
The two teams finish the series Sunday at Illinois Field at 12 p.m. CT (originally scheduled for 1 p.m. CT). Illinois made a change to its starting rotation and will pitch freshman left-hander Nathan Lavender.
Notes
• Illinois is outscoring opponents 6.9-3.4 while winning nine of its last 10 games.
• Illinois is 55-32 all-time against Illinois State.
• Illinois has won eight straight against Illinois State.
• Jack Yalowitz career vs. Illinois State: .423 (11-26), 3 2B, HR, 9 R, 8 RBIs
• Hitting streaks: McDonald 6, Korte 4, Taylor 3
• Reached base streaks: Sarver 8, Korte 5, Taylor 5
• Ben Troike snapped an eight-game reached base streak
• Illinois center fielder Zac Taylor has missed the last seven games with an injury.
• Sunday's game was moved to 12 p.m. CT (originally scheduled for 1 p.m. CT).
Highlights
