CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois took the first game of a three-game series against Indiana State 6-4 Friday night at Illinois Field. The Illini scored five runs in the fifth inning and Cole Bellair went six strong innings to get the win.
Illinois (7-16) scored four of its fourth-inning runs with two outs after Pat McInerney hit a one-out solo homer, his team-best ninth of the season. Ben Troike tripled home two runs and Trent Hammond hit a two-RBI single with two down.
McInerney is now tied for the Big Ten lead in home runs along with Iowa's Jake Adams.
Bellair (2-2) threw his first quality start of the season, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits, while striking out six and walking two. He worked ahead in the count all night, throwing 20 first-pitch strikes to 27 batters.
Will Kincanon (1-3) took the loss, allowing all five of the Illini's runs in the fifth before getting pulled through 4 1/3 innings.
David Craan added an insurance run for the Illini in the eighth with a two-out bases loaded walk issued by Jeremy McKinney.
Indiana State (12-10) was led by Tony Rosselli's three-hit day. Clay Dungan added a single and solo homer.
Joey Gerber worked around an error in the ninth inning to earn his first save.
The teams are back at Illinois Field again Saturday (Kids Club Day) and Sunday (Bark in the Park).
