Chambana Sun

Illinois baseball secured a victory against Western Illinois with an impressive seven-run eighth inning, winning 11-4 at Illinois Field. The Illini's record now stands at 8-6.

Kyle Schupmann and Nick Groves led the offensive charge. Schupmann contributed two hits, two runs, a double, three RBIs, and a walk. Groves also delivered with two hits, a double, and an RBI. In total, eight Illini players recorded RBIs during the game.

Payton Hutchings earned the win from the bullpen for Illinois. He pitched two innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits without issuing any walks and striking out three batters. Ryan Daly started the game but did not receive a decision after pitching three innings with one unearned run allowed on one hit, alongside two walks and three strikeouts.

The Leathernecks initially took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. However, Illinois responded in the second inning with Schupmann's double and Coltin Quagliano's sacrifice fly to take a 2-1 lead. They extended their lead to 4-1 by scoring twice more in the third inning.

Brayden Mazzacano was effective out of the bullpen for Illinois, pitching three scoreless innings while allowing only three hits and striking out one batter.

Western Illinois managed to tie the game at 4-4 in the seventh inning before Illinois' decisive eighth-inning rally. With bases loaded due to a pinch-hit walk by Drake Westcott, Nick Groves was hit by a pitch to drive in a run. Greg LaChance and Grant Ross drew consecutive walks to bring home additional runs. Jack Zebig reached on an error that allowed another run to score, followed by Cameron Chee-Aloy's bases-loaded walk and Schupmann's two-run single.

Evan Clark closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning to secure Illinois' victory.

Next up for the Fighting Illini is a three-game series against Valparaiso starting Friday at 6 p.m. CT as part of their five-game homestand.