Chambana Sun

Illinois baseball faced a setback in their opening game of the 2024 Big Ten Conference Baseball Tournament, falling to Penn State with a score of 8-4. The match took place at Charles Schwab Field Omaha.

Coltin Quagliano delivered a strong performance for Illinois, going 3-for-4 with a run, a double, and an RBI. Drake Westcott contributed by going 2-for-3 with two walks, while Brody Harding also added to the effort with a 2-for-4 showing. Camden Janik and Vytas Valincius each recorded an RBI.

Jack Crowder started on the mound for Illinois but ended up taking the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits over five innings, during which he struck out five batters. Korey Bunselmeyer pitched a scoreless ninth inning, adding one strikeout to his record.

The game saw Penn State take an early lead by scoring in the first inning and extending it with two more runs in the fourth. Illinois responded in the fifth when Janik's sacrifice fly put them on the scoreboard. However, Penn State increased their lead again in the sixth inning.

Illinois managed to reduce the deficit through Harding's infield single that allowed Ryan Moerman to score on an error, followed by Valincius driving in another run in the seventh inning. Despite these efforts, Penn State widened their lead further with three runs in the eighth inning.

Quagliano's RBI-double brought Illinois another run in their attempt to close the gap, but they were ultimately unable to catch up to Penn State's eight-run total.

Looking ahead, Illinois is set to play against either Michigan or Iowa tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. CT as they continue their journey in the tournament.