UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Illinois completed the sweep over Penn State on Saturday afternoon with a 7-4 win over the Nittany Lions. The two teams were tied heading into the final frame when a three-run ninth inning gave Illinois the win over Penn State. The Illini finish the regular season 31-20 and 17-7 in the B1G, the best conference mark since 2015.
The Illini and Nittany Lions traded the lead throughout the middle innings as Penn State (25-27, 11-13 B1G) scored first before the Illini took the lead back with two runs in the fourth inning on a Cam McDonald home run, his seventh of the season.
Tied at four heading into the ninth inning, Cal Hejza put the Illini on top with a sacrifice fly, followed by a two-out, two-RBI single by Branden Comia which gave Illinois a 7-4 edge heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Ryan Kutt started the game for the Illini, going 5.0 innings and allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out four. Offensively, Branden Comia and Ryan Hampe each had multi-hit games while Comia also added three RBI.
Joe Glassey shut the door in the bottom of the ninth, entering the game and immediately getting a 6-4-3 double play. He earns his third save of the season while Ty Rybarczyk is credited with the win, moving to 4-1. Penn State's Miller (3-3) takes the loss.
Illinois heads to Omaha, Neb. next for the Big Ten Tournament (May 25-29). The Illini await who they will play in the first round, which will be determined after the completion of Saturday's B1G games.
NOTES
• Cam McDonald has reached base in every game this season (62 consecutive games dating back to 5/8/21). He set the Illinois on-base streak record against Nebraska on May 14, reaching base in his 58th consecutive game.
• Illinois earned its fourth series sweep of the season and third B1G sweep.
• This was the first road sweep of the season for Illinois.
• Illinois won six of eight Big Ten series this season.
• Illinois finishes the regular season 17-7 in the B1G and 31-20 overall. 17-7 is the best conference record since 2015.
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