Transfers, Weber Lead Illini to Season-Opening Win

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Nathan Aide homered in his first career Illinois at-bat and the Illini never trailed in a season-opening 3-2 win over Milwaukee at David F. Couch Ballpark. Ty Weber scattered four hits and allowed one run to earn the win on the mound. 

"It's a solid opening-night win," said head coach Dan Hartleb. "Very good composure up and down the lineup and very good composure on the mound. A good team win."

Aide's homer was a two-run shot to the opposite field in the second inning to give Illinois a 2-0 lead. Aide scored again two innings later when fellow junior transfer Alex Steinbach drove him in on a double to left center and that was all the run support Illinois' pitching needed. 

"We got some very good at-bats from some new guys in the lineup," said Hartleb. "I was very pleased with their approach. Big days for new guys."

Veterans held it down on the hill with seniors Weber (6.0 IP, 1 R), Ryan Schmitt (2.0 IP, 1 R), and Garrett Acton (1.0 IP, 0 R) limiting Milwaukee. The group struck out eight and needed only 129 pitches to finish the game. 

"Ty (Weber) did such a good job," said head coach Dan Hartleb. "That's what we need him to do. Not only for the win, but we need the young guys to watch somebody be very efficient. We thought we could get him for four innings but he was able to extend himself because of his efficiency."

Illinois has a quick turnaround to face Seton Hall at 9 a.m. CT Saturday. Sophomore transfer Ty Rybarczyk is scheduled to get his first career start for the Illini.

Notes
• Illinois won its season opener for the fourth straight year. 
• The start time of the game was changed after Illinois had travel complications on Thursday and did not get to Winston-Salem until Friday morning at 5 a.m. ET.
• Nathan Aide was the first Illini to homer in his first Illinois at-bat since Luke Shilling in 2016.
• Garrett Acton, the 2019 national leader in saves, once again leads the nation in saves.