CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini completed their sweep of Northwestern with a 10-3 win over the Wildcats on Sunday afternoon at Illinois Field.

Extending its winning streak to five games, Illinois used a strong start from Sam Mommer and an early offensive outburst to improve to 27-23 overall and 13-14 in Big Ten play.

Mommer made his fourth start of the year, earning the win after throwing a career-high five innings without allowing a run and conceding just one hit.

The first three hitters in the Illini lineup all posted multi-hit days at the plate. Nick Groves went 3-for-4 while reaching four times and scoring twice in the leadoff spot, while Michael Farina and Jack Zebig both tallied two hits. Collin Jennings hit his team-leading 15th home run of the season in the bottom of the first, which came on a three-run shot to right.

The Orange and Blue opened the scoring with a four-run first before plating two in the bottom of the second to extend their lead to 6-0. An RBI double in the third and two runs in the fourth then saw the Illini take a 9-0 advantage through four innings of play.

After the Wildcats got a run back in the sixth, the Illini retook a nine-run lead with Zebig's RBI single in the home half of the eighth. Northwestern scored twice in the top of the ninth, but it was not enough as Illinois closed its home schedule with a victory.

POSTGAME NOTES

• Nick Groves went 3-for-4 and scored twice.
  • Has now reached safely in 12 straight games.
  • Posted his ninth outing with at least three hits.
    • Has 17 multi-hit games this season.
  • Scored multiple runs for the 11th time.
  • Has drawn a walk in three straight games.
• Michael Farina finished with a 2-for-4 day.
  • Marked his team-leading 19th multi-hit game of the season.
• Jack Zebig went 2-for-5.
  • Has reached safely in 16 straight contests.
  • Has a hit in eight straight games.
    • Now has five multi-hit games this season.
    • Has an extra-base hit in five consecutive contests.
• AJ Putty posted a 1-for-2 day at the plate while walking twice and scoring twice.
  • Has now reached in six straight games.
  • Drew multiple walks for the sixth time.
  • Has scored multiple runs in 10 games. 
• Collin Jennings went 1-for-3 with a home run while scoring three runs.
  • Hit his team-leading 15th homer of the season.
  • Has reached base safely in eight straight games.
  • Tied his season-high with three runs scored.
    • Scored three runs for the sixth time.
    • Has scored multiple runs in 13 games.
  • Had multiple RBI for the 13th time this season.
    • Had 3+ RBI for the ninth time.
• J.R. Nelson reached on a walk.
  • Has reached safely in 10 straight games.
• Sam Mommer got the start and earned the win, firing five scoreless frames.
  • Earned his fourth win of the year. 
  • Was the longest outing of his Illini career.
  • Made his fourth start this season.
  • Marked his 11th scoreless appearance this season.
  • Has multiple strikeouts in 12 of his 16 outings in 2026.
• Illinois secured its first Big Ten sweep of the season.
  • The Illini have swept the Wildcats in each of their last three series at Illinois Field.
  • The Illini posted their first Big Ten sweep since April 5-6, 2025, vs. Maryland.
• The Illini extended their winning streak to five games, tying their longest winning stretch this season.
  • Illinois has won four straight Big Ten games, its longest stretch since winning four in a row from April 5-11, 2025.
• Illinois finished its home schedule with a 17-9 record at Illinois Field.
  • Marked the Illini's most home wins since 2024 (20). 

UP NEXT

Illinois (27-23, 13-14 B1G) closes the regular season with a three-game series at Indiana, with Game 1 slated for Thursday at 5 p.m. CT.