CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois clinched a series win on Saturday at Illinois Field with an 11-10 win over Purdue. The Illini racked up 13 hits on the afternoon, the 15th time this season in which the Illinois offense recorded ten or more hits as the Illini win their second Big Ten series of the season. Illinois (12-12, 4-1) is now 4-1 in conference play with a chance at sweeping the Boilermakers tomorrow afternoon at Illinois Field.
Branden Comia and Cam McDonald powered the Illinois offense going a combined 6-for-10 with four RBI and three runs scored. Justin Janas and Jacob Campbell also registered multi-hit games with two hits apiece.
The Illini opened up the high-scoring contest with one run in the top of the first. Purdue (18-4, 1-2) responded with one run in the second before the Illini tallied four to take a 5-1 lead. The two squads traded big innings offensively throughout the game as each team put up a crooked number in three separate innings. Purdue was able to put the go-ahead run at the plate in the eighth in ninth innings, but RHP Tommy Green was able to shut the door to help Illinois to an 11-10 victory.
Joseph Glassey earned the win for the Illini to improve to 1-0 on the season, while Purdue's Wyatt Wendell (3-1) took his first loss. Tommy Green picked up his first save of the season as he shut down the Boilermakers in 2.0 innings of scoreless work. Green also struck out a career-high four batters.
The Illini return to Illinois Field Sunday afternoon for the final game of the weekend series against Purdue beginning at 1 p.m. CT.
NOTES
• Cam McDonald has hit safely in 22 consecutive games and has reached base in every game this season (24 game on-base streak).
• Branden Comia has recorded multiple hits in seven of his last eight games. He 13 multi-hit games this season.
• Illinois has won its first two Big Ten series of the season.
• Illinois has recorded 10+ hits in 15 of 24 games this season.
• Illinois has scored six or more runs in all 12 wins this season.
• Tommy Green earned his first save of the season.
• Joseph Glassey earned his first win of the season.
