CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- Illinois baseball (0-1) began the 2025 campaign with a 10-9 defeat to Abilene Christian (1-0) in 10 innings at Whataburger Field.
Vytas Valincius and Kyle Schupmann led the way offensively for the Illini, with duo each posting a three-hit game and combining for a double, triple, home run and three RBI. Nick Groves also put together a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4 with three RBI and a walk.
Tyler Schmitt took no decision in his Illinois debut, working 3.1 innings and allowing one run on two hits to go along with two strikeouts. Sam Reed turned in a strong effort in relief, tossing 2.2 scoreless frames while yielding three hits.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois got on the board first through a sac fly from Greg LaChance in the second. Abilene Christian pushed a run across in the third to make it 1-1, but Vytas Valincius would homer in the home half of the frame to make it 3-1.
After the Wildcats were held scoreless in the fourth, the Illini scored four times in the bottom half to make it 7-1. Groves would start the scoring with a two-run single followed by Schupmann scoring on a passed ball two batters later. Jacob Schroeder capped the run with a two-out RBI single.
Abilene Christian, however, would score four times in each the fifth and sixth inning to take a 9-7 advantage. The Orange & Blue would tie the ballgame up in the seventh through a sacrifice fly from Groves and then a two-out RBI-single from Schupmann.
Both teams traded zeroes in the eighth and ninth before the Wildcats scratched a run across in the 10th. The Illini were held then held scoreless and would fall 10-9.
UP NEXT
The Illini will be back in action tomorrow for game two of this three-game set against Abilene Christian. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. CT.
GAME NOTES
» Vytas Valincius went 3-for-5 with two runs, a double, home run, two RBI and a walk.
» First three-hit game of the season.
» Had three such games in 2024.
» Has been the first Illini to homer in back-to-back seasons.
» Kyle Schupmann went 3-for-5 with two runs, a triple, an RBI and a walk.
» Made his Illinois debut today.
» First three-hit game of his collegiate career.
» Also collected his first-career triple.
» Nick Groves went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a walk.
» Made his Illinois debut today.
» Cameron Chee-Aloy went 2-for-5 with a run, double and a walk.
» Appeared in his first game since April 14, 2024.
» Extended his hitting streak to 16 games and his on-base streak to 20 games.
» Has reached base safely in 31 of 32 career games.
» Has gone 28-for-68 (.412) with five doubles, a triple, a home run and 14 RBI during his hitting streak.
» Sam Reed worked 2.2 scoreless frames out of the bullpen, allowing just three hits.
» Longest scoreless appearance of his Illini career.
» Seven different Illini made their Orange and Blue debut today.
» Mitch Dye, Nick Groves, Greg LaChance, Tyler Schmitt, Kyle Schupmann, Luke Weber, Jack Zebig
» Every Fighting Illini starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Six Illinois hitters had multiple base knocks in the ballgame.
» Illinois batters had a total of 16 hits in the game.
» Illinois left 14 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Wildcats at a 16-12 clip.
» Illinois is 0-1 this season when outhitting its opponent...went 28-5 last season in that category.
» Illinois went 4-for-13 (.308) with runners in scoring position.
» Illinois pitchers faced 52 Abilene Christian hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and 13 fly balls while striking out seven.
» The Fighting Illini drew eight walks from Abilene Christian pitching.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
