MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — The Illinois baseball team could not overcome four unearned runs allowed Friday in a 9-2 setback to Western Carolina at TicketReturn.com Field. The Illini left 11 runners on base and struck out 11 times.
Illinois (1-3) hung around in the middle innings, despite making five errors, but eventually Western Carolina pulled away with four runs in the final two innings. The score was 5-1 when Ty Rybarczyk took over and gave the Illini 4 1/3 quality innings from the fourth to eighth, allowing only one run and striking out six. But the offense could not get going, as Illinois went 1-17 with runners on and 0-7 with runners in scoring position.
The highlight of the day at the plate was Garrett McGowan's first career Illini homer in the fourth inning. He lifted the pitch 340 feet over the right field wall to lead off the fourth.
Andrew Bullock led Western Carolina with a 4-for-4 day, including a solo homer, and two RBIs out of the eight-hole. Cleanup hitter Luke Robinson added three hits.
Illinois matches up against Coastal Carolina on Saturday at the Chanticleer's Springs Brooks Stadium. Veteran Ty Weber is expected to make his three career start against Coastal at 2 p.m. CT.
