Freshman LHP Cole Kirschsieper picked up right where he left off last season, throwing five scoreless innings in an 8-0 shutout in the series finale at Fluor Field. The Illini rebounded after dropping the first three games of the series to the Buckeyes.

Kirschsieper (5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 6 SO) has not lost a game in his college career. Last season, he went 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA. Freshman Joseph Glassey, sophomore Ryan Kutt and freshman Payton Hutchings came out of the bullpen to complete the combined three-hit shutout. Ohio State (3-1) was shutout for the first time in a conference game since April 20, 2018 vs. Indiana (4-0).

Illinois (1-3) produced their highest scoring game of the season with eight runs. 

Freshman Justin Janas went 3-for-3 with an RBI, walk and two runs scored. Janas' RBI came on a single in the third inning, which also marked his first career hit. Sophomore Ryan Hampe contributed a 2-for-4 day at the plate with a double and two RBIs. Junior Taylor Jackson added a pair of hits as well.

Right out of the gate in the first inning, leadoff hitter Taylor Jackson hit a ground-rule double. Illinois scored three in the first, courtesy of a Branden Comia RBI single, a Cam McDonald RBI groundout and a Ryan Hampe RBI single. It was the second consecutive game the Illini put up runs in the first inning.

The Illini added two runs in the fifth from a Janas RBI single and a Hampe RBI double to extend the lead to 5-0. Illinois would add three more insurance runs in the eighth inning, including freshman Cal Hejza recording his first career hit with an RBI double down the right field field line.

Illinois will travel to Minneapolis next week to take on the Golden Gophers at U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings. The weekend series will be four games, with a doubleheader played on Saturday. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. CT on Friday, 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. CT on Saturday, and 6 p.m. CT on Sunday.