Taylor Jackson hit the first pitch of the game 405 feet for a home run but the Illinois baseball team fell at No. 18 Wake Forest, 5-3, to close the weekend Sunday. The Illini started the season 1-2 before next weekend's trip to Coastal Carolina.

Illinois was good on the mound with Aidan Maldonado and Cole Kirschsieper combining to scatter nine hits and strike out nine. Maldonado started and went the first 4 1/3 innings, allowing four runs, before Kirschsieper allowed only one run in the final 3 2/3 frames. 

The Illini were limited to four hits by three Wake Forest pitchers. William Fleming (1-0) got the win after allowing three runs in six innings and striking out eight. Illinois did not get a hit off of relievers Tyler Witt (2.0 IP) and Shane Smith (1.0 IP). 

Illinois beat Milwaukee 3-2 to start the weekend Friday but fell to Seton Hall 10-2 Saturday. 

Illinois travels to Myrtle Beach next weekend for matchups against Western Carolina, the host Coastal Carolina, and West Virginia.