Chambana Sun

Illinois baseball team secured a narrow 10-9 victory over Washington in the Las Vegas College Baseball Classic. The game, held at Las Vegas Ballpark, saw Illinois come back from a six-run deficit to claim the win.

Key players for Illinois included Nick Groves, Vytas Valincius, and Jack Zebig, each contributing three hits. Grant Ross, Drake Westcott, and Valincius were instrumental in driving in three runs apiece. Every starter for Illinois recorded at least one hit during the game.

Sam Reed played a crucial role in relief pitching, earning his first win of the season by holding Washington scoreless over four innings. He allowed only three hits and struck out three batters while retiring the last 11 batters he faced.

The game began with Washington taking an early lead of 4-0 after two innings. Illinois managed to score in the fourth inning through RBI-groundouts by Ross and Westcott but still trailed 6-2 after Washington extended their lead again.

In the fifth inning, Ross's RBI-single brought Illinois closer at 6-3 before Washington added three more runs to make it 9-3. However, Jacob Schroeder's solo home run in the sixth inning ignited Illinois's comeback. Valincius followed with a single that scored two more runs, and subsequent hits by Ross and Westcott tied the game at 9-9.

Reed emerged from the bullpen in the bottom of the sixth to escape a bases-loaded situation without conceding any runs. In the seventh inning, Groves singled and stole second base before being driven home by Valincius's single to give Illinois its first lead of the game.

Reed continued his strong performance by retiring all batters he faced in both the eighth and ninth innings, securing a 10-9 victory for Illinois.

Illinois will next face No. 15 Texas as they conclude their participation in the Las Vegas College Baseball Classic.