Branden Comia homered and the Illinois baseball team's bullpen threw five shutout innings to lead the Illini to a 4-2 win over No. 19 Coastal Carolina in front of a national television audience on Big Ten Network. Illinois and Coastal have split two games this year ahead of Wednesday's season rubber match. 

Illinois (18-8) came alive in the first inning with four runs, including Comia's homer. Jack Yalowitz added an RBI groundout and Grant Van Scoy singled home a run with two outs and that was enough run support for the Illini.

Garrett Acton worked the ninth for his ninth save of the season. 

Illinois pitching limited Coastal to 3-21 (.143) with runners on and 0-9 (.000) with runners in scoring position. The Chanticleers left 11 runners on base.

The teams are back Wednesday at Illinois Field to finish the two-game midweek series. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT.