The Fighting Illini dropped the Illinois Field season opener to Eastern Illinois on Tuesday afternoon, 4-2. Cam McDonald led the Illini offensively, going 2-for-3 with a home run while scoring both of Illinois' runs.  

Eastern Illinois (7-3) plated two in the top of the third to take a 2-0 lead before the Illini responded with a run in the home half of the third on an RBI single by OF Danny Doligale. Illinois (3-7) knotted the score in the fifth on a Cam McDonald solo homer to right field.

Eastern Illinois took the lead back in the sixth, and extended their lead on a two-out infield single in the top of the ninth inning.

Cam McDonald hit his team-leading second home run of the season with a solo shot to right field.

Illinois will be back on the road this weekend for a three-game slate at Western Kentucky.