EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Illini improved to 10-10 on the season and 2-0 in Big Ten play with two wins over Michigan State at McLane Stadium to open up the Big Ten season. Illinois outscored Michigan State 20-5 in the two games while tallying 29 hits.
GAME ONE (Illinois 11, Michigan State 3)
Illinois began Big Ten conference play with a dominant win in game one of Friday's doubleheader at Michigan State, scoring early and often to put up eight runs in the first two innings. The Illini scored five runs in the first, while Michigan State did not score a run until the sixth inning. Cole Kirschsieper was impressive on the mound, throwing 6.0 innings and allowing just one run on three hits while striking out five to improve to 4-1 on the season.
The Illini offense exploded for 11 runs on a season-high 17 hits in the game as the top six hitters in the Illinois batting order each recorded multiple hits. Junior Kellen Sarver picked up three hits while driving in three runs. Danny Doligale tied a career-high four hits, going 4-for-6 with a homerun, double, and three RBI. Doligale's three-run shot in the second inning marks the sophomore's first career homerun.
Illinois added three more runs in the final seven innings, holding the Spartans to three runs to take game one 11-3 and improve to 1-0 in Big Ten competition.
GAME TWO (Illinois 9, Michigan State 2)
The Illini clinched the series win over the Spartans with their second win of the day in game two of the Friday doubleheader. The offense racked up double-digit hits for the fourth game in a row as the Illini improve to 2-0 in conference play for the first time since 2018.
Illinois struck first in the second inning with three runs, holding the Spartans scoreless until the sixth inning once again. The Illini padded their lead with a four-run seventh inning and added two more in the eighth and ninth.
Junior INF Branden Comia led the way at the plate for the Illini in game two, tallying two hits in four at bats while driving in three runs for the Orange and Blue. Cam McDonald, Ryan Hampe, and Brody Harding also recorded two hits in the game.
The Illini will wrap up the series against Michigan State tomorrow afternoon at 12 p.m. CT.
NOTES
• Cam McDonald has hit safely in 18 consecutive games and has reached base in every game this season (20 game on-base streak).
• Danny Doligale has hit safely in 12 consecutive games. He has recorded a hit in all but three games this season.
• Illinois has recorded 10+ hits in four consecutive games and eight of the last ten.
• Illinois combined for 29 hits on the afternoon.
• Illinois has won three of the last four games and five of the last seven.
• Illinois improves to 2-0 in Big Ten play for the first time since 2018.
