CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — RHP Andrew Hoffmann was lights out in a 2-0 win against Maryland on Friday night at Illinois Field. Hoffmann (7.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 12 SO) pitched into the eighth inning and struck out a career-high 12 batters.
Maryland (19-14) had a good pitching performance on their side as well. Starter RHP Nick Dean (7.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) was matching Hoffmann for much of the outing.
The Illini broke through in the third inning against Dean with a double from Nathan Aide and an RBI single from Cal Hejza.
In the eighth inning, the Illini would add an insurance run when Branden Comia scored from third base on a passed ball. Comia reached on a two-out walk, moved to third on a Justin Janas single and scored on the passed ball.
LHP Cole Kirschsieper came out of the bullpen in relief of Hoffmann. Kirschsieper got the final out of the eighth inning, stranding a runner on first base. To earn the save, he worked around a leadoff walk by striking out a pair and getting a fly out to seal the win. He extended his scoreless streak to 13.0 innings.
Illinois (16-16) will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 11:00 a.m. CT due to expected inclement weather on Sunday. LHP Nathan Lavender will go in game one and RHP Riley Gowens will get the ball in game two.
Notes
• Illinois has won six of their last eight games.
• Illinois has three shutouts in conference play in a single season for the first time since 2016 (April 29, 2016 vs. Minnesota, April 22, 2016 vs. Ohio State, March 25, 2016 vs. Penn State).
• The 2:15 contest was the shortest 9-inning game of the season. It was the shortest 9-inning game since February 23, 2020 vs. West Virginia (1:57).
• Illinois has recorded at least 10 strikeouts in 12 games this season.
• After scoring at least six runs in each of the first 12 wins of the season, the Illini have scored five runs or fewer in three of the last four wins.
• Andrew Hoffmann had a career-high 12 strikeouts. The last Illinois pitcher to have at least 12 strikeouts was Cody Sedlock on May 13, 2016 at Indiana (12 SO).
• Illinois improved to 7-1 in games that Hoffmann starts.
• Cole Kirschsieper has a scoreless streak of 13.0 IP.
• Justin Janas has reached base safely in each of his last 14 games.
