CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Jack Yalowitz had a career-high five RBIs to lead the Illinois baseball team to a 11-5 win Friday over Toledo in the Illini's home opener. Yalowitz hit a three-run homer in the fourth to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 5-3 lead, an advantage the Illini did not relinquish.
"We had a lot of really good at-bats," said head coach Dan Hartleb. "It was good to see us have good situational at-bats and good swings with two strikes and two outs."
Illinois (5-9) scored in five different innings and outhit Toledo 13-7 in the rout. The Illini went 9 for 17 with runners on and 5 for 11 with runners in scoring position. It is the fifth time this season Illinois has scored 10+ runs after doing so just twice in 2016.
Yalowitz had three hits, while Ben Troike, Pat McInerney, Bren Spillane and Trent Hammond had two apiece. McInerney homered as part of a four-run sixth when the Illini pulled away.
Quinten Sefcik (2-3) picked up the win by throwing 2 2/3 innings of hitless relief. He came in for Cole Bellair, who started and allowed four runs on six hits in the first 4 1/3 innings. Sefcik, Cyrillo Watson (1 IP, 0 R) and Ryan Thompson (1 IP, 1 R) combined to throw 4 2/3 innings and allow just one run on two hits out of the bullpen.
Toledo (3-15) was led by Riley Campbell, who went 3 for 5 with four RBIs. He hit a three-run triple to put the Rockets ahead in the third.
Illinois is back Saturday at Illinois Field against Southern Illinois at 2:30 p.m. CT. The first 250 fans will get a free foam glove.
