CARBONDALE, Ill. — Illinois baseball defeated Southern Illinois in the series-opener Friday night in Carbondale, 11-10. Illinois took an early lead over the Salukis, scoring six runs in the first two innings. Sophomore LHP Cole Kirschsieper recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts in six innings to lead the Illini on the mound. Danny Doligale went 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored, while Cam McDonald extended his hitting streak to 13 games, going 2-for-6 with a home run and 3 RBI.
Illinois (7-8) jumped out to an 11-1 lead before the Southern Illinois (13-5) picked up seven runs in the home half of the seventh inning. The Salukis tallied another two runs in the bottom of the ninth while bringing the game-winning run to the plate, but Ty Rybarczyk slammed the door to pick up his second save of the season.
Cole Kirschsieper earned his third win of the season to improve to 3-1 overall. The sophomore lefty went 6.0 IP, striking out 10 and giving up just one run on four hits. Brandon
NOTES
• Cam McDonald has hit safely in 13 consecutive games and has reached base in every game this season (15 game on-base streak).
• Cole Kirschsieper recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts.Â
• Danny Doligale had his sixth multi-hit game of the season.
• Both Justin Janas and Ryan Moerman got hit by pitches twice.
• Illinois has scored 47 runs in the last five games, winning four of those five.
