IOWA CITY, Iowa — In front of a near-capacity crowd of 1,022 people at Duane Banks Field on Friday night, the Illini fell 5-4. A typical Friday night matchup that featured both team's aces did not disappoint.
Neither starter factored into the decision as the eighth inning turned out to be the decisive frame with each team scoring three runs. Entering the eighth, Iowa was leading the game 2-1.
The three-run Illini rally in the eighth all came with two outs. Justin Janas and Ryan Hampe both drew walks before Kellen Sarver came up and lined a game-tying, RBI ground-rule double to right-center field. Cam McDonald followed with a go-ahead, two-run single up the middle giving the Illini a two-run advantage.
Iowa (22-14) responded in the bottom of the eighth with their raucous crowd playing a huge role in the pivotal inning. After a walk and RBI double, the Illini brought in LHP Cole Kirschsieper with a one-run lead and a runner on second and no outs. Kirschsieper induced three fly balls to the first three batters he faced, but one of them fell in for an RBI double to tie the game. With two outs, Ben Norman hit a go-ahead, RBI triple despite a valiant diving effort from McDonald.
RHP Andrew Hoffmann (5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 SO) gave the Illini a good start and kept them in the game through the first five innings. Hawkeyes starter Trenton Wallace (6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 9 SO) had a very good night on the mound as well.
The Illini's only other run came in the fifth inning when Nathan Aide hit a solo home run to right-center field. The homer was the first of the season for Aide.
Illinois (16-19) will return to the field against Iowa tomorrow at 2:05 p.m. CT. LHP Nathan Lavender goes to the mound for the Illini.
Notes
• Illinois played in front of 1,022 people, the largest fan attendance for a game this season.
• Justin Janas has reached base safely in a career-high 17 games.
• Nathan Aide hit his first home run of the season and first since his first career at-bat with the Illini on February 14, 2020 vs. Milwaukee.
• Cole Kirschsieper had his scoreless streak of 13.2 IP snapped tonight.
