In what was billed as a match-up between two very tough Illinois teams, the series between Illinois and Illinois State was incredibly one-sided. This past weekend, at Illinois Field, the Illinois (17-4) won all three games versus Illinois State (13-9) for their fifth weekend sweep of 2019.
Illinois outscored the Redbirds by an exponential 30-6 margin. Almost scoring at will, Illinois knocked 43 hits compared to ISU’s 17. Illini pitching got the job done including veteran starter who earned his first win as did freshman Nathan Lavender.
For their efforts, the Illini have been bumped up to #25 in the rankings according to D1Baseball.com. ISU on the other hand, will wait to face Illinois next time.
Friday: Illinois 14 ISU 3
Things got going pretty quick for Illinois when they scored five runs in fifth inning against the Redbirds. That was sparked by a three-run Jack Yalowitz home run. Grant Van Scoy continued his hitting way with a three-hit, three-rbi day.
It was refreshing to see freshman catcher Jacob Campbell’s come to life. With two hits, he scored three times.
Andy Fisher again showed why he is a top pitcher for Illinois. Not only did he win but he only allowed two hits in six innings.
FightingIllini.com recap | Box Score | IBR Photos
Saturday: Illinois 4 ISU 2
Ty Weber gets his first win!
Weber who has pitched so well this season, got enough support to earn his first W. He took a shutout into the ninth inning and certainly deserved every bit of that win. At one point, his ERA dipped to 0.94.
When the Redbirds scored two in the ninth, Garrett Acton had a chance to earn his 8th save and that he did.
I’m sure Ty Weber thanks the offensive squad especially Branden Comia who went 3 for 4 with two runs on Saturday.
FightingIllini.com recap | Box Score | IBR Photos
Sunday: Illinois 12 ISU 1
Sunday, it seemed the Illini runs kept coming. Particularly, the first two innings. By then, Illinois was up 9-0. Cam McDonald drove in four of those runs including a two-run homerun. Not bad work for two innings’ work.
Illinois didn’t give up. Shortstop Ben Troike hit two homeruns and Grant Van Scoy added another.
Freshman Nathan Lavender earned his first career win on Sunday. After he got out of a one-out bases-loaded jam without giving up a run by striking out the last two batters, it was smooth sailing for Lavender’s four-inning stint.
FightingIllini.com recap | Box Score | IBR Photos
Random Ramblings
If you are thinking that the Redbirds are wanting revenge, they will get their chance. Illinois will play Illinois State at Normal on April 9th. They’ll be chomping at the bit, I’m sure.
Tyler Engel can pitch? Senior Engel has been a backup infielder for the Illini for the past three years but couldn’t crack the lineup. Now, he’s listed on the roster as a “UT/RHP”. We saw him a couple times this weekend and wow! What a delivery! His sidearm practically scrapes the mound.
He will be fun to watch, for sure.
Two freshmen had a great series against ISU. It’s nothing new… they’ve done well all year. Cam McDonald had six hits and seven rbis. In addition, Branden Comia 7 for 13 with four runs scored and three rbis.
It’s encouraging to see this talent in our incoming freshman!
Next up
After being home for a couple weekends, the Illini are traveling to a very tough Indiana State (19-2) for one midweek game on Tuesday. This weekend, they go to Iowa City for the Big Ten opener.