CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Fighting Illini walked off in the bottom of the ninth inning after coming back from a four-run deficit to take the final game of the series against Nebraska, 5-4. The game had two rain delays totaling four hours and fifty-three minutes as the originally scheduled 2 p.m. game ended at 9:45 p.m. CT.
Justin Janas singled home Branden Comia in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Illinois (28-20, 14-7 B1G) the walk off win and series win over Nebraska (20-29, 8-13 B1G).
All four of Nebraska's runs came on a grand slam in the top of the third inning. The Illini scored a run in the sixth and two in the seventh to get within one of the Huskers, and Justin Janas's 2-out single led the Illini to their second walk off win of the season.
Ty Rybarczyk started for the Illini and Joe Glassey came in out of the bullpen, throwing five innings and giving up just one hit while striking out six. Tommy Green entered after the second rain delay, throwing one scoreless inning and earning the win to move to 2-2 on the season. Nebraska's Hawkins moves to 0-2 with the loss.
Illinois is on the road next weekend at Penn State for the final B1G series of the season before heading to Omaha, Neb. for the B1G Tournament (May 25-29).
NOTES
• Cam McDonald has reached base in every game this season. He extended the Illinois on-base streak record to 59 games.
• Illinois won on the game on a walk off single by Justin Janas, their second walk off win this season.
• Illinois has won five of seven Big Ten series this season.
• Illinois is now 14-7 and tied for third place in the B1G.
• 11 seniors were recognized prior to the game. This was the final home game of the 2022 season.
• There were two rain delays. The game started at 2 p.m. CT and ended at 9:45 p.m. CT.
