With three one-run wins against Penn State this past weekend, Illinois baseball is back in the hunt again! Despite cold and windy weather on Friday and wind on Saturday, Illinois swept the Nittany Lions by the scores of 2-1, 7-6 and 4-3. This past weekend was the sixth time Illinois has won a three-game sweep this year.
The series sweep against an conference opponent helps Illinois immensely. With a 6-6 Big Ten record, Illinois is now tied with Ohio State and Maryland for seventh place. If it helps at all, Illinois’ 25-13 overall record is the third best among the thirteen B1G teams. Only Michigan (28-11) and Indiana (27-13) are faring better throughout the entire season.
Friday: Illinois 2 Penn State 1
I wasn’t able to make Friday’s game but from all reports it was a cold, windy night. That must have kept the bats cold as it was certainly a pitchers’ duel. Starter Andy Fisher had fine outing (5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 8 K) but Sean Leland really earned his relief win going five more innings and allowing just one hit. That hit in the ninth inning was the only baserunner Leland allowed for the five frames.
Ben Troike provided some walk-off excitement in the tenth. He singled scoring Andy Dyke for the winning run.
FightingIllini.com recap | Box Score
Saturday: Illinois 7 Penn State 6
Saturday afternoon was sunny, warm and very windy! It was the kind of day that pop-ups to second base would somehow end up foul balls. Misjudged fly balls were par for the course.
Illinois got off to a comfortable lead thanks to a five-run first inning keyed by a Cam McDonald triple that scored two runs and a two-run double by Jeff Korte. The Lions fought back and by the top of the fifth, they had the lead 6-5.
Jeff Korte powered through again with an rbi single tying the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. The next inning, Kellen Sarver pushed home Zac Taylor on a base hit for the lead run.
The bullpen of Ryan Schmitt, Josh Harris, Quinn Snarskis, Quinten Sefcik and Garrett Acton quieted the Penn State’s bats down. In all, they pitched 4 2/3 hitless innings, allowing just one walk. Josh Harris received the win upping his record to 3-2. Acton earned his 12th save on the year.
FightingIllini.com recap | Box Score | IBR Photos
Sunday: Illinois 4 Penn State 3
Cyrillo Watson pitched a career high seven innings to earn his fourth win in 2019 on Sunday. Watson gave up five hits and just one run while striking out five Lions.
Zac Taylor hit a no-doubter over the left field wall for Illinois’ first hit in the fourth inning to give them their first lead 2-1. Grant Van Scoy added a base hit rbi in that same inning and Jeff Korte contributed a squeeze bunt scoring Jack Yalowitz.
Garrett Acton earned his conference-leading 13th save, his second in as many days.
FightingIllini.com recap | Box Score | IBR Photos
Random Ramblings
This was the first weekend that beer sales took place at the concession stands at Illinois Field. If you had asked me at the game, I wouldn’t have even noticed (it does explain the slight slurring of speech of the two young people sitting behind me, though). I have been told that staff have been searching bags and backpacks at the entrances now. The logical conclusion is that it is because of the new policy.
Yet, the sky did not fall. I am not a beer drinker but really have no position on the matter unless it interferes with my enjoyment of the game.
Just a little kudos for the Penn State team. No doubt, they have had a disappointing Big Ten season but with three one-run games, they did not play like a team with a 1-13 conference record. In fact, FightingIllini.com notes that the Lions’ last twelve losses have come within two runs. Very surprising since they got off to such a good start winning their first six games.
Stat Time
Illinois leads the Big Ten in fielding percentage with a .980 mark. They have committed only 27 errors all season. Michigan has the second lowest number at 36.
Next up
On Tuesday, Illinois travels to Bradley for an away midweek game. This weekend, the boys will be in Lincoln, Nebraska to take on the second place Cornhuskers for a three game series.