March 12, 2004

Box Score

Round Rock, Texas - After collecting no less than nine hits in the first seven games of 2004, Illinois managed only four against Texas Tech and senior righthander Steven Thomas, falling 4-1 to the Red Raiders in the first game of the Round Rock College Classic at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas Friday afternoon. The loss drops Illinois to 3-5 overall while Tech improves to 13-4 on the year.

Texas Tech struck first, in the top half of the first inning. The Red Raiders touched Illinois starter Joe Ziemba for three runs on three hits to take a 3-0 lead before Illinois came to the plate.

But after Ziemba escaped a rocky second inning via a line drive double play, he settled down to retire the side in the third and fourth, giving the Illini hitters time to adjust to Thomas.

The Illini offense started to do just that in the bottom half of the fourth. Ryan Hastings drew a lead off walk, Chad Frk and Drew Davidson followed with back-to-back singles, and Hastings came in from second on Davidson's to draw Illinois to within 3-1.

But that would be as close as Illinois would come Friday. Although Ziemba continued to cruise, sitting down 12 straight Raiders in order from the third through sixth innings, he did not get any further offensive support, as the hitters were unable to solve Thomas. Ziemba's streak was finally snapped in the top of the seventh when he allowed a leadoff bunt single. That run eventually came around to score after Ziemba had been pulled in favor of Tim Gorski, and Texas Tech held a 4-1 lead heading into the seventh inning stretch.

Ziemba (1-2) suffered the loss. He allowed four runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings of work. He walked three and struck out six. Thomas (2-1) earned the win after tossing eight-plus innings. He allowed one run on four hits while walking two and striking out four. John Milton earned the save after entering the game in the ninth with runners on first and second and no one out.

Illinois continues action at the Round Rock College Classic Saturday against Texas State. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.