Jim Halpin Associate Athletic Trainer (Baseball) | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
Jim Halpin Associate Athletic Trainer (Baseball) | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
Illinois baseball team secured a 10-5 victory over Iowa in the opening game of their final home series at Illinois Field. The win brought Illinois' record to 29-16 overall and 14-5 in conference play, while Iowa fell to 28-19 and 13-9.
Drake Westcott played a key role, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a double, a home run, two RBIs, and a walk. Brody Harding also contributed significantly with a 2-for-3 performance, scoring twice and driving in two runs. Coltin Quagliano added to the score with a solo home run. These three homers increased the Illini's season total to 91, tying the program's single-season record.
Jack Crowder started on the mound for Illinois and earned the win by pitching six innings. He allowed five runs on six hits and struck out five batters. The bullpen trio of Ben Plumley, Jake Rons, and Korey Bunselmeyer delivered scoreless performances over the final three innings, allowing only two hits combined and striking out four.
In the game's progression, Illinois took an early lead with Ryan Moerman's two-run double in the first inning. Camden Janik extended this lead with another two-run double in the second inning before scoring on Westcott's RBI-double. Despite Iowa scoring twice in the third inning, Illinois responded with back-to-back home runs from Harding and Quagliano. Janik further contributed with his second RBI-double of the game.
Iowa managed to add runs in both the fourth and fifth innings but was countered by Westcott's opposite-field solo home run in the sixth inning.
The Fighting Illini will continue their series against Iowa tomorrow at 3 p.m., following Senior Day festivities scheduled for 2:15 p.m.
Game notes highlighted individual achievements including Drake Westcott's 14th home run of the season and Camden Janik extending his hitting streak to 12 games. Brody Harding has hit safely in 13 of his last 15 games, raising his average significantly during that period.
Illinois has now matched its single-season home run record set in 1998 with their current tally of 91 homers. They improved their home record to an impressive 19-2 this season at Illinois Field.
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