MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Illinois took both games of Saturday's doubleheader against Minnesota at U.S. Bank Stadium. Game one finished with a score of 11-8 in seven innings, while the second game ended 7-1 in a full nine-inning contest. The last time the Illini won both games of a doubleheader was April 14, 2019 at Minnesota.
GAME ONE
The Illini fell behind early in this game, 2-0 after the first inning. The offense battled back though with 11 runs over the next five innings. Eight different batters drove in a run.
Sophomore Cam McDonald led the way for the Illinois offense. McDonald went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBIs and three runs. Senior Jackson Raper was 1-for-2 with a double, RBI and a pair of runs scored.
Freshman RHP Riley Gowens (4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO) got the start and earned his first career college victory. Gowens had missed the last two seasons with an injury.
GAME TWO
Illinois (4-3) kept their bats hot for the back end of the doubleheader. Sophomore Jacob Campbell connected on a 2-run home run to left field in the second inning of the game. Raper came up right behind Campbell and launched his own home run, a solo shot to right field.
The back-to-back home runs were the first by the Illini since May 1, 2018 vs. SIU (Doran Turchin & Zac Taylor in the 5th inning).
Campbell finished the night 2-for-4 with the home run, two RBIs and three runs scored. Raper went 2-for-2 with a double, the home run, an RBI, two runs scored and two walks.
Another strong start from the pitching staff helped the Illini hold the lead the entire game. Sophomore Ty Rybarczyk (7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 SO) was on the mound and earned his first win of the season.
The Illini have won four straight games after dropping the first three games of the season. They will attempt to go for the series sweep of Minnesota on Sunday at 6 p.m. CT. Freshman LHP Cole Kirschsieper will receive the ball for the Fighting Illini.
