CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Illinois baseball team edged visiting Penn State 7-6 at Illinois Field to clinch the three-game series Saturday. The Illini go for the sweep Sunday at 12 p.m. CT, one hour earlier than originally scheduled.
"Each and every game is a battle," said head coach Dan Hartleb. "Penn State did a good job of taking advantage of a few mistakes and it turned into a close ballgame. We are finding ways to win and guys are doing a good job battling."
Illinois (24-13, 5-6 Big Ten) jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning before Penn State stormed back to take a 6-5 lead by the fifth. The Illini answered with one in the fifth and one in the sixth before the bullpen put up four straight zeros to seal the win.Â
Illinois' bullpen was unhittable, going 4 2/3 innings without allowing a hit. Ryan Schmitt (0.2 IP, 0 H), Josh Harris (1.0 IP, 0 H), Quinn Snarskis (1.0 IP, 0 H), Quinten Sefcik (1.0 IP, 0 H) and Garrett Acton (1.0 IP, 0 H) combined to shut down Penn State's hopes.
Harris was credited with the win and Acton registered his Big Ten leading 12th save. Acton is two saves away from tying Tyler Jay's and Joey Gerber's single-season Illinois record.
Penn State (17-17, 1-12 Big Ten) tied its most runs in a Big Ten game this season but it was not enough. DH Ryan Ford led the Nittany Lions with a three-run homer and a bases-loaded walk.Â
Jeff Korte led Illinois with three hits and three RBIs, finishing a home run away from the cycle. Michael Massey and Zac Taylor had two-hit days and Cam McDonald scored twice and drove in two more.
Sunday's game was moved to 12 p.m. CT to help accommodate Penn State's travel plans.Â
Highlights
Notes
• Illinois has won 13 of its last 14 games against Penn State.
• Illinois is 23-5 when allowing six or fewer runs.
• Illinois is 23-6 when scoring four or more runs.
• Illinois is 11-3 at home.
• Illinois is 21-6 when leading or tied after four innings.
• Illinois played error-free and has made only five errors in 11 Big Ten games.
• Illinois ' bullpen has a .175 batting average against, 3.28 ERA and 158 strikeouts in 140 innings pitched this season.
• Illinois is outscoring opponents 31-6 in the first inning. Illinois has allowed only three earned runs in the first inning for a 0.73 team ERA in the opening frame.
• Garrett Acton leads the Big Ten in saves (12).
• Reached base streaks: Van Scoy 20, McDonald 9, Taylor 9, Troike 9, Yalowitz 8
• Grant Van Scoy is on a career-long 20-game reached base streak.
• Cam McDonald is on a career-long nine-game reached base streak.
• Opponents are hitting .197 with runners in scoring position against Illinois this season (68/346).
