CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Fighting Illini earned their second series sweep of the season, taking down Northwestern 3-0 at Illinois Field Sunday afternoon to improve to 10-2 in the B1G. Riley Gowens was outstanding on the mound in his seventh start of the year, throwing 7.0 scoreless innings while giving up just three hits and striking out five. Gowens is credited with the win and moves to 4-1 on the season while Northwestern's Comstock (0-2) gets the loss.
Illinois (19-14, 10-2) scored two of their three runs on the afternoon in the first inning and one more in the fourth while holding Northwestern (15-16, 4-5) scoreless, the first shutout of the season for the Illini. Cam McDonald and Brody Harding each had two-hit days, while Justin Janas drove in two of the three Illini runs on the afternoon.
Alex Vera earned his first save of the season shutting the door on the Wildcats with 2.0 scoreless no-hit innings and one strikeout.
Illinois is back in action on Tuesday afternoon, traveling to Indiana State for a midweek matchup with the Sycamores before welcoming Maryland to Illinois Field for another three-game series next weekend.
NOTES
• Cam McDonald reached base in every game this season (44-game on base streak dating back to 5/8/21).
• Alex Vera recorded his first save of the season.
• Illinois recorded their first shutout of the season.
• Illinois has won every B1G series this season and has swept two of four Big Ten teams (Purdue and Northwestern).
• Illinois is now 10-2 in the B1G.
• This was the first Illini win of the season in which the offense scored less than six runs.
