CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois took the series opener from Purdue on Friday evening at Illinois Field, 8-1. Cole Kirschsieper was dominant on the mound, throwing 7.0 innings while allowing just three hits and striking out nine. Both offenses were quiet until the bottom of the eighth inning when the Illini exploded for seven runs to take an 8-1 lead into the final inning.
At the plate, Illinois was led by junior INF Branden Comia who went 2-for-4 including a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning. Cam McDonald also had a multi-hit game while knocking in two runs and scoring one. Senior Taylor Jackson added a three-run home run in the eighth inning, the second Illini home run of the inning to extend the lead to 8-1.
The Illinois pitching staff was lights-out, allowing Purdue to score just one run on four hits. Ty Rybarczyk entered in relief of Cole Kirschsieper, picking up his first win of the season and moving to 1-1. Tommy Green saw action in the top of the ninth, setting the Boilermakers down in order.
Illinois is back at home Saturday afternoon for a 3 p.m. game against the Boilermakers.
NOTES
• Cam McDonald has hit safely in 21 consecutive games and has reached base in every game this season (23 game on-base streak).
• Branden Comia has recorded multiple hits in six of his last seven games.
• Illinois has recorded 10+ hits in 14 of 23 games this season.
• Illinois has scored six or more runs in all 11 wins this season.
• A combined one run was scored in the first seven innings, and a combined eight runs were scored in the final two.
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