Another weekend, another sweep. This past weekend, Illinois baseball (10-3) easily defeated the Grand Canyon University Lopes (6-9) in three straight games down in Phoenix, Arizona.
Illinois had solid pitching giving up just twelve hits in the three games. Jack Yalowitz and Michael Massey put in some great offensive performances and Ben Troike is turning his season around.
In the first four weekends, first place Illinois can boast three sweeps. With the home opener on the horizon, there’s no reason to stop now!
Friday: Illinois 6 GCU 3
Jack Yalowitz and Andy Fisher were the big heroes of Friday’s game. Yalo went yard twice and drove home five of Illinois’ six runs.
Meanwhile, Fisher pitched another gem of a game. He allowed just one run on one hit in seven full innings. Garrett Acton came in for a scoreless ninth for his fourth save.
Fighting Illini recap | Box Score
Saturday: Illinois 5 GCU 2
Reliever Sean Leland put in a phenomenal performance on Saturday. Even the GCU announcers on the live video were giving their kudos to Leland’s performance. Entering the game in the fourth inning, Sean pitched 4 1/3 innings while striking out eight batters. He walked none and gave up just one hit. That gives Sean a 2-1 record for the year.
Ben Troike showed some life with the bat hitting safely three times. Michael Massey garnered two hits including an 8th inning monster homer to give Illinois a bit of insurance.
Acton came in to get the last two outs for his fifth save of 2019.
Fighting Illini recap | Box Score
Sunday: Illinois 9 GCU 2
Michael Massey picked up where he left off Saturday by hitting another home run in the third inning. Troike as well, continued his hitting ways. He went 2 for 5 including a two-run double.
Zac Taylor has been hot all year and Sunday was no exception. He hit a single, double and a triple. Cam McDonald and Jack Yalowitz both contributed home runs as well. Kellen Sarver whose hit streak was broken on Saturday at seven games, started a new one by rapping three hits.
Cyrillo Watson pitched a solid game to improve to 2-0. In six innings, he allowed four hits and just GCU run. No need for Garrett Acton on Sunday with an 8-1 lead. Nathan Lavender, Aidan Maldonado and Quinten Sefcik finished the balance of the game.
Fighting Illini recap | Box Score
Random Ramblings
Jack Yalowitz’ performance this weekend cannot be overlooked. He went 7 for 12 with two homers and a double. He scored four times while driving in six runs.
His game on Friday (4 for 4, double, 2 HR, 5 rbis) has to be the best one-game performance so far this year.
Zac Taylor who is hitting an even .400 after his three-hit game Sunday, had to leave the game early after running into the outfield wall. I think I speak for everyone when I say “Get Well!” to Zac. Illinois’ bench is pretty deep this year but he will not be easy to replace.
In case you’re wondering….
At 10-3, Illinois has the best record in the Big Ten after three weekends of play. Penn State trails slightly at 9-3 as well as Michigan with a 9-4 mark.
Early season favorite Minnesota is a puzzler as they come in last with a 2-10 record. They are currently on a six-game losing streak.
Next up
Starting this Friday, Illinois is currently scheduled to host the Southern Illinois Salukis for a three-game series. The home opener on Friday is scheduled for 4pm
See you at the ballpark!