ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In the first game of four this weekend at Ray Fisher Stadium, Illinois won 7-4 over No. 13 Michigan. The Illini have won five of their last six games.
With the game tied at three entering the eighth inning, the Illini unloaded four runs which put them on top for the duration of the game. Nine hitters went to the plate in the frame, beginning with a double from sophomore catcher Ryan Hampe.
A sacrifice fly by freshman Justin Janas, followed up with an RBI double from sophomore Branden Comia put the Illini up 5-3. Freshman Cal Hejza and junior Taylor Jackson would add RBI singles of their own in the inning to make the score 7-3.
Jackson had himself a day at the plate. The center fielder from Chicago went 4-for-5 with two doubles and four RBIs. The four hits, two doubles and four RBIs were all career highs. His other run-scoring hits came in the third inning on an RBI double and in the fourth inning with a 2-run single.
Sophomore RHP Andrew Hoffmann (6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) started the game for the Illini. Michigan (7-2) was kept off balance offensively by Hoffmann. Besides allowing a pair of solo home runs, he was in control.
Sophomore LHP Nathan Lavender (W, 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 SO) came in for Hoffmann in the seventh inning. Lavender struck out six over his three innings of work, including striking out the side in the bottom of the ninth.
Illinois (5-4) will have a split doubleheader tomorrow. The first game will be against Michigan with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. CT. Freshman RHP Riley Gowens will get the ball in that contest. The second matchup will be with Michigan State at 3 p.m. CT. Sophomore RHP Ty Rybarczyk is expected to get the nod in the second game.
