Chambana Sun

Illinois baseball team secured a 7-1 victory over Northwestern, marking their sixth consecutive series win. The game, held at Illinois Field, saw Illinois improve to a 22-13 record for the season and 9-2 in conference play.

Connor Milton was instrumental in the victory with an exceptional performance at the plate. He went 4-for-4, scoring three runs and hitting two home runs, along with four RBIs. This game set new career highs for Milton in hits, runs, home runs, RBI, and total bases. Teammates Cal Hejza, Camden Janik, Drake Westcott, and Coltin Quagliano each contributed two hits.

Pitcher Cooper Omans also played a crucial role by delivering his second quality start of the season. Omans pitched seven innings, conceding only one run on two hits while striking out four batters. Jake Rons and Julius Sanchez provided effective relief pitching for Illinois.

The Illini started strong with a rally in the second inning initiated by Brody Harding's single that allowed him to score from first base on Quagliano's RBI-double. Milton continued the momentum with an infield single followed by Hejza’s RBI-single.

Omans kept Northwestern scoreless through seven innings as Illinois doubled their lead with Milton's two-run homer in the fourth inning. Further adding to their advantage were Westcott’s RBI single in the seventh and another two-run homer by Milton in the eighth inning.

Illinois will conclude their series against Northwestern tomorrow at Illinois Field with a scheduled first pitch at 1 p.m. CT.

Connor Milton expressed his satisfaction: "First-career four-hit day and first-career two-home run game." The team's coach praised the collective effort: "Five Fighting Illini had multiple hits in the ballgame."

This win continues Illinois' impressive streak at home where they have won 11 straight games at Illinois Field this season.