CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois won the series-opening game on Friday night against Nebraska at Illinois Field, 8-3. Cole Kirschsieper threw 7.0 innings, allowing just four hits and one run while racking up nine strike outs. At the plate, Danny Doligale and Brody Harding led the way for the Illini, going a combined 7-for-8 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Illinois (27-19, 13-6 B1G) scored seven runs in three innings to take a 7-1 lead into the fifth inning. Nebraska (19-28, 7-12 B1G) scored two runs in the ninth to get within five of the Illini, but ultimately fell short as Illinois picked up the series-opening win.
Justin Janas and Cam McDonald also tallied two-hit games while Taylor Jackson hit a three-run home run, his sixth homer of the season. Kirschsieper improves to 7-2 on the season with the win, while Nebraska's Schanaman is now 2-8.
Illinois returns to Illinois Field tomorrow afternoon for the middle game of the three-game series with Nebraska beginning at 3 p.m. CT.
NOTES
• Cam McDonald has reached base in every game this season. He is on a 57-game on base streak, which ties Ben Troike's Illinois record.
• Danny Doligale went 4-for-4 and Brody Harding went 3-for-4.
• Illinois is now eight games above .500 and 15-3 at home this season.
• Illinois is 13-6 in the Big Ten.
• Illinois tallied 10+ hits for the 28th time this season.
• Attendance was 3,089, the biggest crowd since 5/4/18.
