FightingIllini.com
The Official Home of University of Illinois Athletics
- Men's Sports
- MEN'S SPORTS
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Football
- Golf
- WOMEN'S SPORTS
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Soccer
Illini Score First but Fall to UIC, 7-4
  |
|
Ryan Hastings went 1-for-1 with two walks and two runs in Illinois' 7-4 loss to UIC on Sunday.
|
March 2, 2008
WACO, Texas - The Fighting Illini scored first but Illinois-Chicago scored seven runs in the second and third innings to take a 7-4 win in six innings in the teams' final game of the QTI Baylor Classic at Baylor Ballpark Sunday, a contest that was shortened because of team travel plans. Right fielder Nick Stockwell reached base twice, going 1-for-1 with two RBI, while first baseman Ryan Hastings and DH Daniel Webb each reached base three times and scored twice.
The Illini (2-4) struck first with an unearned run in the second inning. Webb walked on four straight pitches and advanced to third on a bad pickoff move by UIC starting pitchder Mike Kool. Stockwell then drove him in with a sacrifice fly to right-center field, giving Illinois a 1-0 lead.
But UIC (2-4) put three on the board in the bottom of the second, stringing together a hit batter, a double, two singles, a sacrifice bunt and a groundout for a 3-1 lead.
UIC added two more in the third, chasing Illini starter Aaron Martin with three singles bunched around two groundouts for a 5-1 lead. Reliever Kevin Manson entered and allowed a single and hit a batter to load the bases. UIC shortstop Jason Ganek then dribbled a single into the hole on the right side of the infield, which second baseman Joe Bonadonna gloved, but his throw was late to first. Hastings threw late to home, but catcher Aaron Johnson nailed the runner from first trying to advance to third for the third out of the inning with the Flames leading 7-1.
The Illini notched a run in the fourth to cut the margin to 7-2 when Hastings led off with a bunt single and, one out later, Webb was hit by a pitch. Stockwell followed with a base hit to right that scored Hastings, but Stockwell was thrown out trying to advance to second.
In the sixth, Illinois added another run when Hastings drew a one-out walk and moved to third on catcher Aaron Johnson's base hit. Webb loaded the bases when he was hit by a pitch, then UIC reliever Don Phillis balked home a run to make the score 7-3. But on the play, Phillis' pitch that was ruled a balk went to the backstop and Johnson tried to score, but was out on a close play at the plate. Stockwell was hit by the next pitch and third baseman Dominic Altobelli ripped a double to the left-field corner, plating Webb and putting runners at second and third. But pinch-hitter John Schlichter struck out swinging to end the game with UIC winning 7-4.
Up Next: Illinois returns to the state of Texas next weekend for a four-game series at Texas Tech. Friday's first pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. at Dan Law Field.
