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May 3, 2008

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Brandon Wikoff recorded his first career five-hit day, going 5-for-5 and falling just a triple shy of the cycle, to lead Illinois to a 14-4 thrashing of Northwestern at Illinois Field. First baseman Ryan Hastings was 3-for-4 with four RBIs and third baseman John Schlichter drove in three as the Illini improved to 5-1 in Big Ten series openers.

Illinois (26-17 overall, 12-9 in the Big Ten) got on top with three first-inning runs when center fielder Kyle Hudson reached on catcher's interference with one out and stole second, tying the Big Ten season stolen base record with 19. Wikoff followed with an RBI double down the right-field line and catcher Aaron Johnson drove in Wikoff with a sharply hit single to center. DH Daniel Webb laced a double off the right-field wall to put runners at second and third, and Hastings drove in Johnson with a groundout for a 3-0 lead.

The Fighting Illini added four runs in the third when Hudson led off with a double and scored on Wikoff's first home run of the year, a two-run blast to right field. One out later, Webb restarted the inning with a bloop base hit to left and came around to score on Hastings' double to the right-field corner. Hastings advanced to third on the throw home and scored on Schlichter's groundout to make the margin 7-0.

Illinois tacked on a five-spot in the fourth after Bonadonna ripped a single at the third baseman that he was able to knock down but couldn't make a play on. Hudson dropped a bloop double down the left-field line and Wikoff's single through the right side brought in two runs. One out later, Webb walked and Hastings drove in Wikoff with a single through the right side. Schlichter followed with a two-run double off the wall in left-center to increase the lead to 12-0.

Northwestern (16-21, 10-11) got two runs back in the fifth on a pair of singles, a double and an RBI groundout, cutting the deficit to 12-2. But the Illini scored two more in the bottom half when Hudson drew a one-out walk and came around to score on Wikoff's double to the wall in right-center. Johnson walked on four pitches and, one out later, Hastings laced a single into right-center, driving in Wikoff for a 14-2 advantage.

The Wildcats scored two more in the sixth after an infield hit off Illini starter Kevin Manson's foot and a homer by pinch hitter Tony Vercelli, making the score 14-4. Manson exited after the sixth inning, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out a career-high eight hitters, four on called third strikes.

Reliever Lee Zerrusen came on in the seventh, tossing three near-perfect innings for his first career save. Zerrusen gave up singles in the seventh and ninth and did not allow a walk while striking out a career high-tying three hitters.

Wikoff finished the day 5-for-5 with a homer, two doubles, a career-high six RBIs and four runs. Hudson was 2-for-3 with two doubles, a career-high four runs and a stolen base, and Webb was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs. Wikoff's five-hit game was the fifth time an Illini has collected five hits this season and Illinois' 14 runs mark the fifth time during Big Ten play that the Orange and Blue have posted double-digit runs.

Manson and Zerrusen also pitched in, striking out a season-high 11 Northwestern batters, five on called third strikes. They also allowed only two walks on the day.

Up Next: The same two teams continue their series with a doubleheader Sunday beginning at 1:05 p.m. The series finale will be played Monday at 6:05 p.m.