Illinois (11-9) snapped a brief two-game losing skid with a 10-7 victory over Nebraska (13-8-1) on Sunday at Haymarket Park in the series finale in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Illinois scored in the opening frame, doing so three times, thanks to home runs from Branden Comia and Ryan Moerman, solo and two-run blasts, respectively.
Comia's solo effort extended his on-base streak to 60 games, making him just the second player in program history to reach that mark. He is just three games away from matching Cam McDonald's program record of 63, which was set last season.
The Cornhuskers would load the bases in the bottom half, but Jack Wenninger induced what would be the first of three double-plays turned by the Illini in the contest, to get out of the inning unscathed.
Illinois again put up a three-spot in the second, with Brody Harding scoring on a wild pitch and McDonald bringing in a pair of runs with a two-out single.
Nebraska would cut into the lead in the third, scoring twice in the second and later adding another run in the third to make it 6-3. Coltin Quagliano would grab one of those runs back when he singled home McDonald with two outs in the fifth, making it 7-3.
Illinois broke the game wide open in the sixth, tagging the Cornhuskers for three runs in the frame to make it a 10-3 ballgame. Harding began the scoring by racing home on a passed ball and McDonald would collect his third RBI of the game by doubling home Comia. Camden Janik capped the inning with a two-out RBI single of his own to score McDonald.
The 10 runs were more than enough for Wenninger, who turned in his first quality start of the season. The Cary, Ill., native, allowed three runs, two earned, over 6.0 innings of work, scattering five hits to go along with six strikeouts and two walks. Wenninger earned his team-leading third win of the season.
The win was No. 518 in head coach Dan Hartleb's Illinois career, putting him just one win away from passing Lee Eilbracht for the most in program history.
Illinois lost Friday 8-4 and Saturday, 8-3.
The Fighting Illini will be back in action on Tuesday, where they will take on the Missouri Tigers in the Braggin' Rights Game at GSC Credit Union Ballpark in Sauget, Ill. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
