MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Illinois entered Sunday's game looking to complete a four-game series sweep of Minnesota. Despite a 12-hit performance from the offense, the Illini fell 5-3 to the Golden Gophers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Sophomore catcher Jacob Campbell hit his second home run of the season in as many days. With the team trailing 5-1 in the sixth inning, Campbell sent a shot out to left-center field. Campbell's two home runs match his total from the previous two seasons combined. He finished 4-for-4 on the night.
Freshman LHP Cole Kirschsieper suffered the first loss of his career on Sunday. Kirschsieper (4.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 1 SO) gave up back-to-back solo home runs in the fifth inning before he exited the game. He had won the first four decisions of his career since the start of last season.
The Illini got on the board early with a first inning RBI groundout from sophomore Cam McDonald, but Minnesota (2-6) scored the next five runs, which ended up being enough for the game.
In the eighth inning the Illini threatened with runners on second and third and two outs. Sophomore Kellen Sarver came up to pinch-hit and hit the ball off the end of the bat, flying out just shy of the warning track in right field.
Illinois (4-4) will make a trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan next weekend. The Illini will play four games from Friday through Sunday. Two will be against Michigan and the other two will be with Michigan State. First pitch on Friday is slated for 3 p.m. CT against Michigan.
