Mark Allen Pitching Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
Mark Allen Pitching Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
Illinois baseball team secured a series win against Texas State with a doubleheader split in San Marcos, Texas. The Illini lost the first game 5-2 but rebounded to take the second game 7-4.
In the opening game, Illinois' Vytas Valincius hit a two-run homer in the third inning, but that was all the offense they could generate. Illinois recorded only three hits and left six runners on base. Ben Plumley started for Illinois, allowing three runs over 5.2 innings with one strikeout.
Texas State took an early lead and tied the game in the fourth inning before scoring additional runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings to secure their victory. Despite getting leadoff runners on base in multiple innings, Illinois failed to capitalize.
The second game saw Illinois claim victory with strong performances from Jack Zebig and Jacob Schroeder. Zebig contributed two RBIs with a double, while Schroeder hit a home run and drove in two runs. Greg LaChance also had a productive day at bat.
Julius Sanchez earned his first win of the season by pitching five innings and allowing two runs with three strikeouts. Ryan Daly closed out the game with 2.1 scoreless innings for his first save of the season.
Illinois jumped to an early lead with RBI hits from Valincius and Zebig. Although Texas State tied it up briefly, Illinois regained control and extended their lead with key hits from Grant Ross and Cameron Chee-Aloy.
The Illini added insurance runs in the eighth inning when Drake Westcott doubled, followed by Schroeder's home run. Daly then shut down Texas State's offense to secure the win for Illinois.