VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Illinois baseball (6-6, 0-2) brought a 5-3 lead into the ninth inning but could not hold on and fell 6-5 to the Michigan (8-5, 2-0) today at Holman Stadium.
Jack Zebig homered for the second-straight game, going 1-for-4 at the plate with a run and three RBI.
Ben Plumley took no decision in the start, allowing three runs, one earned, over 4.2 innings of work to go along with seven strikeouts. Sam Reed allowed just one run over 3.1 relief innings, firing four strikeouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Wolverines took a 2-0 lead after two before the Illini were able to halve the deficit in the third when Zebig drew a walk with the bases loaded.
Michigan restored its two-run advantage in the fifth but Illinois would score four times in the bottom of the sixth to take a 5-3 lead. Zebig crushed a two-run shot, his fourth of the year, while Greg LaChance and Jacob Schroeder tallied RBI-singles in the frame.
The Orange and Blue took the two-run lead into the ninth but the Wolverines would score three times in the inning to take the lead. Illinois was unable to rally in the bottom half of the frame and would be handed the 6-5 defeat.
UP NEXT
The Illini look to salvage the series vs. Michigan in tomorrow's finale, with first pitch from Holman Stadium at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex set for 11 a.m. CT.
GAME NOTES
» Jack Zebig went 1-for-4 with a run, home run and three RBI.
» Has hit safely in seven-straight contests...has gone 13-for-28 (.464) during that span with two doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI.
» Ben Plumley took no decision in the start.
» 4.2 IP, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO
» Struck out a career-high seven batters.
» Illinois pitchers faced 48 Michigan hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and five fly balls while striking out 11.
» The Fighting Illini drew five walks from Michigan pitching.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
