Chambana Sun

Illinois baseball ended its three-game losing streak with a 6-4 victory over Bradley at Illinois Field. The Illini, now 27-19, saw Ryan Daly start on the mound and improve his record to 2-2. Daly pitched five innings, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out four batters. Zach Bates secured his seventh save of the season by pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

Vytas Valincius was a standout performer, reaching base in all five plate appearances. He went 3-for-3 with a run, an RBI, and two walks while stealing three bases, including home in the seventh inning.

The game began with Bradley taking an early lead before Illinois tied it up with Nick Groves scoring during a rundown play. Valincius gave Illinois the lead in the third inning with an RBI single. However, Bradley responded with a solo home run in the fourth to level the score again.

Will Johannes put Illinois back in front with an RBI single in the fourth inning, but Bradley equalized once more in the sixth. In the seventh inning, Jack Zebig's bloop single gave Illinois a lead they would not relinquish. Valincius then stole home on a double steal to extend their advantage, followed by Coltin Quagliano's RBI single for a 6-3 lead.

Bradley managed one more run in the eighth inning before Bates closed out the game for Illinois.

Next up for the Fighting Illini is a three-game Big Ten series against No. 18 UCLA at Illinois Field starting Friday at 6 p.m. CT.

Valincius' performance included his eighth three-hit game of the season and career-high stolen bases. Nick Groves contributed with one hit and two walks. Daly set a new season-high for innings pitched while Bates continued his strong form without allowing an earned run over his last six innings across six games.

Every Illinois starter reached base safely as they outhit Bradley 11-5 and went 6-for-17 with runners in scoring position. Meanwhile, Illini pitchers limited Bradley to just one hit in nine opportunities with runners in scoring position.