Allyson O’Herron Director of Baseball Operations | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
Allyson O’Herron Director of Baseball Operations | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
Illinois baseball secured a series victory with a 6-3 win over Iowa at Illinois Field. The Illini improved their record to 30-17 overall and 15-6 in conference play, while Iowa fell to 29-20 and 14-10.
Vytas Valincius, Jacob Schroeder, and Brody Harding each hit home runs during the game. Eight of the nine starters reached base safely. Jake Rons earned the win from the bullpen by pitching 1.2 shutout innings without allowing a hit and striking out two batters. Joe Glassey also contributed with 2.1 shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out two. Payton Hutchings started the game for Illinois, delivering 4.1 innings and giving up three runs while striking out three.
Iowa initially took a lead with solo home runs in the first and second innings, but Illinois responded with five runs in the third inning. Valincius and Schroeder each hit two-run homers, while Harding added a solo shot to make it 5-2.
The Illini bullpen effectively contained Iowa's offense for the remainder of the game, allowing no runs and only one hit over the final 4.2 innings.
Following Hutchings' performance, Rons pitched scoreless innings before Ben Plumley entered to retire two batters. Glassey then finished strong by facing just one batter over the minimum in his seven-out save effort.
Looking ahead, Illinois will face Purdue on Thursday for their final weekend series of the season in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Game notes highlighted individual performances: Vytas Valincius went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs; Jacob Schroeder went 1-for-3 with a home run; Brody Harding went 1-for-3 with a home run; Cal Hejza extended his on-base streak to 32 games; Connor Milton reached base safely for his last 13 games; Jake Rons picked up his fourth win of the season; Joe Glassey earned his sixth save of the season.
Illinois pitchers limited Iowa's effectiveness with runners in scoring position and faced only eight ground balls and nine fly balls throughout the game while drawing eight walks from Iowa's pitching staff. This victory marked Illinois' first season since 2015 achieving more than twenty wins at home.
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