CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois baseball (29-17, 14-6) fell to Iowa (29-19, 14-9), 10-4, Saturday at Illinois Field.
Vytas Valincius hit a three-run shot in the sixth, the Illini's 92nd home run of the campaign, setting a new single-season program record. Connor Milton also went yard in the contest, while Drake Westcott went 2-for-3 with a run and a walk, the lone Illini with multiple hits in the contest.
Will Lavin worked 3.0 innings of one-run ball, striking out three, while Julius Sanchez tossed 2.0 scoreless frames, allowing two hits.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawkeyes put runs on the board in each of the first four innings of game, jumping out to a 6-0 lead.
Valincius halved the deficit with his record-breaking three-run blast in the sixth with two outs.
Milton led-off the eighth with an opposite-field solo homer and the Illini would bring the tying, and go ahead run, to the plate in the inning, but weren't able to come up with a decisive hit.
Iowa would put the game out of reach by scoring four times in the ninth and would go on to hand Illinois the 10-4 defeat.
UP NEXT
The Fighting Illini will take on Iowa tomorrow for a rubber match in the final regular season home game of the 2024 campaign. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.
GAME NOTES
» Drake Westcott went 2-for-3 with a run and a walk.
    » Only Illini with multiple hits in the ballgame.
    » Has two hits in three-straight games.
» Vytas Valincius went 1-for-4 with a run, home run and three RBI.
    » Was his 10th home run of the season...fourth Illini to reach the double-digit mark.
    » His home run was the team's 92nd of the season, setting a new program record for most home runs in a single season.
    » Has 21 RBI in his last 10 games.
» Connor Milton went 1-for-2 with a run, home run, RBI and a walk.
    » Has hit safely in 12 of his last 15 games.
    » Has reached base safely in 12-straight games.
» Cal Hejza has reached base safely in 31-straight games.
» Julius Sanchez worked a season-high 2.0 innings and did not allow a run.
    » Has made five relief appearances without allowing an earned run.
» The Illini have homered in 17-straight games.
» Illinois pitchers faced 46 Iowa hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out six.
» The Fighting Illini drew four walks from Iowa pitching.
» Asher Bradd, Korey Bunselmeyer, Jack Crowder, Joe Glassey, Brody Harding, Cal Hejza, Payton Hutchings, Will Lavin, Connor Milton, Cooper Omans, Jake Rons, Jacob Schroeder, Logan Tabeling and Drake Westcott were all honored during Senior Day festivities pre game.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
