WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Illinois baseball team threw the 11th no-hitter in its 142-year program history and first ever on the road Sunday afternoon at Alexander Field in a 1-0 victory. The combination of Riley Gowens, Ryan O'Hara and Cole Kirschsieper were the trio that etched their names in the record book. The no-hitter was the first since "Boo" Champagne vs. Bradley on April 24, 1985.
Gowens (7.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 6 SO) was dominant in his start on Sunday. After missing the last two seasons with an injury, this was a special moment for him. "It feels awesome. The hitters have been picking pitchers up pretty much all year so to come out here and show that we got some stuff and back them up, it's a really good feeling," said Gowens.
O'Hara came in to pitch the eighth inning and started the inning off by hitting Mike Bolton Jr. He would advance to third base after a sac bunt and a wild pitch. With one out, O'Hara got Miles Simington to strike out swinging, but the ball got away and had to be thrown to first base. As Ryan Hampe threw the ball, Bolton Jr. broke for home. Kellen Sarver received the throw and fired it back home to O'Hara where Bolton Jr. was called out on a close play at the plate to end the inning.
Heading into the ninth of a scoreless game the Illini had only managed three hits. Branden Comia led off the inning with a single through the right side. Comia would advance to second on a passed ball. Justin Janas followed with an infield single to move Comia over to third. Sarver then came up with the go-ahead, RBI sac bunt to bring home Comia for the only run of the ballgame.
In the bottom of the ninth, Kirschsieper entered the game. Purdue (10-18) had a chance with runners on first and second one out after a walk and fielding error. Kirschsieper would go on to strike out the final two batters of the game to secure the no-hitter and series sweep.
Head coach Dan Hartleb summed up the weekend by saying, "The thing that's so impressive for me is that you play Purdue last week two games on Sunday and Monday and they stuck it to us. Then, we turn around and come in here and sweep them three games. Our bullpen has really struggled, and the bullpen was outstanding this entire weekend. I told Adam Christ before the game 'you know what, we may get beat today, but as I watch batting practice and what we're doing everyone has gotten better'. That's a testament to the type of guys we have and the toughness they have. We have pushed them, and it hasn't been easy. We have a long way to go, but I'm really proud of the group and like what I'm seeing as far as us progressing."
Illinois (13-14) will return to action next weekend in their third and final pod of the season. The Illini will go to Evanston, Illinois, and play two games against Michigan and two against Northwestern.
Notes
• Illinois threw their 11th no-hitter in its 142-year program history and first ever on the road. It was the first since "Boo" Champagne vs. Bradley on April 24, 1985.
• Illinois has now thrown three no-hitters on April 25 (Sanford/Foss/Gregory vs. St. Joseph's (Ind.) on April 25, 1967 & Charles Schiller vs. Chicago on April 25, 1942).
• The no-hitter was the second combined no-hitter in program history (Sanford/Foss/Gregory vs. St. Joseph's (Ind.) on April 25, 1967).
• It was the fourth no-hitter Illinois has recorded in a conference game (Doug Mills vs. Wisconsin on April 29, 1961, Charles Schiller vs. Chicago on April 25, 1942, Woodward "Red" Gunkel vs. Ohio State 5/5/1916).
• Illinois completed their first sweep of the season and first since May 10-12, 2019 vs. Purdue. It was their first Big Ten series sweep on the road since March 23-25, 2018 at Northwestern.
• Illinois won the season series 3-2 over Purdue.
• Illinois has recorded a save in four of their last six games after zero saves through the first 21 games.
