The Fighting Illini baseball team had a full day of education, baseball and service on Tuesday in the Dominican Republic.

In game one, Junior Kevin Duchene struck out five over five strong innings, as Illinois defeated the Astros DIL, 6-1, in a seven-inning game. The Illini only managed five hits but capitalized on three errors. Seniors Reid Roper and Casey Fletcher each tallied two runs, while senior David Kerian and sophomore Ryne Roper each crossed home.

Then in game two, Sophomore Cody Sedlock racked up seven strikeouts in just three innings, but the Illini committed four errors and fell for the first time on the trip by a score of 5-2 in eight innings against the Houston Astros DIL. Sedlock was charged with three unearned runs in the first inning, while the Illini only were able to score in each of the first two innings.

United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Wally Brewster met with the Illini prior to a pair of split-squad games against the Houston Astros Dominican Instructional League (DIL). In the afternoon, the entire team visited the Escuela Hogar Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos orphanage and had an incredible experience playing with the kids.

The Illini enjoyed a full afternoon of activities at the orphanage, including basketball, volleyball, soccer, kickball and baseball games with the kids. Many players called it an eye-opening and humbling experience after interacting with all of the youth. Glove donations from the Champaign community also were given to the facility.

Illinois is 4-1 after playing five games over the past three days in the Dominican Republic. The Illini will have a day off from baseball on Wednesday.

Information courtesy of fightingillini.com.