In the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament, the Fighting Illini battled back for a 3-2 victory over Nebraska, setting the Big Ten Conference record with 27 straight wins.
Junior starter Kevin Duchene and Nebraska's Chance Sinclair dueled, trading scoreless innings through five. In the top of the sixth, Nebraska broke the tie with two runs on four straight hits, but the Illini offense countered in the bottom half of the inning with three singles from sophomore Ryne Roper, junior Ryan Nagle and redshirt-senior Reid Roper to cut the Huskers' lead in half. Junior Jason Goldstein followed with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Nagle and tying the game 2-2.
Nagle led off the bottom of the eighth with a single, his third hit of the day and fourth time on base. After a Reid Roper walk and a sacrifice bunt from Goldstein, Nebraska intentionally walked Casey Fletcher to load the bases. Pat McInerney slapped the 0-1 pitch to right field, scoring Nagle for a 3-2 lead heading into the ninth.
Tyler Jay came on in the ninth and fired seven strikes and notched his 13th save on the season with a groundout, strikeout and pop out. The comeback win was the Orange and Blue's 23rd of the season and second straight against the Huskers.
No. 1 seed Illinois will play tonight at 9 p.m. against No. 4 seed Maryland live on the Big Ten Network.
Big Ten Tournament Scoreboard
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No. 3 Michigan 4, No. 6 Indiana 1
No. 2 Iowa 3, No. 7 Ohio State 2
No. 4 Maryland 2, No. 5 Michigan State 1
>>Illini Hoping To Host Tournament Regional
Illinois expects to host its first NCAA baseball regional later this month, but won't know for sure until Sunday.
Event Coordinator Zach Acton says Illinois recently submitted its bid. Acton believes the Illini are all but assured of hosting a four-team regional based on their record.
The Illini are 46-6-1 and have won 27 straight.
Acton said the bid cost $50,000. The school will also have to pay for additional temporary seating at Illinois Field.
If the Illini host a regional, the games would be played May 29, 30 and 31 and, if needed, June 1.
