EVANSTON, Ill. -- Fighting Illini baseball (13-15, 3-6) fell in their series finale to Northwestern (5-21, 3-3) in Sunday's series finale at Rocky and Berenice Miller Park.
In a 4-4 game in the eighth, the Wildcats hit a go-ahead three-run home run, which proved to be the game winner in the contest, as the Illini were unable to score in the ninth.
Illinois jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Camden Janik brought home Danny Doligale with a two-out RBI-single. Northwestern then responded with a three-run home run its first time up to take a 3-1 lead.
The Orange and Blue fought back in the fourth, scoring two runs in the frame to tie the ballgame. Branden Comia lined a double into the left-center gap to score Janik and would later score on Cal Hejza's infield single.
The hosts would re-take the lead in the fifth with a safety squeeze, but the Illini would battle back and push a run across in the seventh to tie it at 4-4.
The Illini were unable to generate any offense over the final two innings of the game, drawing just one walk, leading to the defeat.
Illinois will be back in action on Tuesday, when they make the short trip to Normal, Ill., to take on Illinois State. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. CT.
GAME NOTES
» Cam McDonald went 2-for-4.
    » Extended his hitting streak to seven games...has multi-hit performances in three-straight games.
» Cal Hejza went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
    » Went 4-for-9 in the series with two runs, a double and an RBI.
» Jack Wenninger worked 7.1 innings and fanned eight batters.
    » Has worked 6.0+ innings in three-straight starts.
    » Has whiffed eight batters or more in three starts this season.
» Illinois went 2-for-6 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Illinois pitchers faced 36 Northwestern hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out eight.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
