CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois baseball (8-6) used a seven-run eighth to claim a midweek victory over Western Illinois, 11-4, tonight at Illinois Field.
Kyle Schupmann went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a double, three RBI and walk, and Nick Groves also posted a multi-hit effort, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Eight different Illini recorded an RBI in the contest.
Payton Hutchings got the win out of the bullpen for Illinois, working 2.0 innings, giving up one run, unearned on two hits, allowing no walks and striking out three. Ryan Daly took no decision in the start and went 3.0 innings, surrendering one run, unearned on one hit, walking two and striking out three.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Leathernecks took a 1-0 lead after their first time to the plate and the Orange and Blue would score twice in the second to take a 2-1 lead. Schupmann doubled into the left center gap to get Illinois on the board and would later score on Coltin Quagliano's sacrifice fly.
The Illini pushed the lead to three with two more runs in the third, with Jack Zebig getting plunked with the bases loaded and Vytas Valincius following with an RBI-groundout.
Daly struck out the side in the second and faced the minimum in the third as Illinois built its lead. Brayden Mazzacano was first out of the bullpen for the Illini and the freshman worked 3.0 scoreless frames, allowing three hits to go along with one strikeout.
Western Illinois, however, would push three across the plate in the seventh to tie the game at 4-4.
After being held scoreless in the seventh, Illinois used another late big inning to take control of the ballgame. With two out in the inning, a Drake Westcott pinch-hit walk loaded the bases for Nick Groves, who drove in a run the hard way by being hit by a pitch. Greg LaChance and Grant Ross then drew back-to-back walks to bring home two more runs. Jack Zebig reached on an error to extend the inning, and score another run, and Cameron Chee-Aloy would draw the third bases-loaded walk of the inning. Schupmann capped the scoring with a two-run single to make it 11-4.
Evan Clark then worked a scoreless ninth to secure Illinois' second-straight victory.
UP NEXT
The Fighting Illini continue this five-game homestand with a three-game set vs. Valparaiso. First pitch in Friday's series opener is set for 6 p.m. CT.
GAME NOTES
» Kyle Schupmann went 2-for-3 with a two runs, a double, three RBI and a walk.
» Nick Groves went 2-for-3 with two runs, a double and an RBI.
» Jack Zebig went 1-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
» Has hit safely in nine-straight contests...has gone 16-for-35 (.457) during that span with three doubles, three home runs and 17 RBI.
» First Illini to 20 RBI on the season.
» Ryan Daly took no decision in his first-career start at Illinois.
» 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
» Season-high 3.0 innings of work.
» Matched his season high with three strikeouts.
» Brayden Mazzacano worked a career-high 3.0 innings and did not allow a run.
» Illinois pitchers faced 40 Western Illinois hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out nine.
» The Fighting Illini drew seven walks from Western Illinois pitching.
» Illinois has now won 16-straight over Western Illinois...all contests during that streak have been played in Champaign.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
