The Illinois Fighting Illini defeated Illinois State on Tuesday evening at Illinois Field, 11-9 in non-conference college baseball in Champaign.
Kellen Sarver led the way at the plate for the Illini, going 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, and three runs scored. Cam McDonald also had a two-hit game, notching a double and a triple while also extending his on-base streak to 30 games.
With the win, the Illini split the season series against the Redbirds and also move to two games over .500 on the season (16-14 overall).
The two teams combined for ten runs in the first inning as Illinois State (12-15) scored four while Illinois (16-14) plated six.
The two teams continued to go back and forth before the Illini took the lead in the third inning as Danny Doligale drew a bases loaded walk to bring home the go-ahead run.
Illinois never gave up the lead after the third inning, scoring another five runs. Illinois State added a three-run homer in the fifth to cut the deficit to 10-9 before the Illini scored one more on Sarver's solo home run in the sixth.
Andrew Pogue earned the win for Illinois to move to 1-0 on the season. Alex Vera was impressive out of the bullpen, throwing 4.0 innings and allowing just one run on three hits. Joeseph Glassey picks up his second save of the season after coming in and shutting the door with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
After receiving multiple National Player of the Week honors for his performance in the previous five games, sophomore Ryan Cermak smashed his sixth home run in the last five games to lead off the game before junior Connor Olson singled home a run and senior Nick Gile blasted a two-run home run to left field for the Redbirds (12-15 overall, 1-2 MVC).
McDonald has reached base in every game this season for Illinois, a 30-game on base streak while Branden Comia has hit safely in 14 consecutive games.
ISU junior Jake McCaw extended his on-base streak to 19 games with a walk.
Illinois State is scheduled to host Valparaiso for a weekend series from April 15-17.
Illinois opens a three-game set with Northwestern this weekend in Champaign.
