Shari Clapp Assistant Director of Academic Services, Academic Operations | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
Shari Clapp Assistant Director of Academic Services, Academic Operations | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
Illinois secured a narrow victory over Michigan in the opening game of the 2025 Big Ten Baseball Tournament. The match, held at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, saw Illinois triumph 6-5 after extra innings.
Jacob Schroeder's decisive home run marked his second consecutive game-winning hit in extra innings. Drake Westcott contributed with a solo home run, while Kyle Schupmann drove in two runs with an RBI single.
Tyler Schmitt delivered a strong performance as the starting pitcher for Illinois, allowing two runs on six hits over seven innings and achieving nine strikeouts. Zach Bates earned the win by pitching 1.2 scoreless innings in relief.
The game began with Illinois taking a 3-0 lead, thanks to Vytas Valincius's bases-loaded walk and Schupmann's two-run single. Despite Michigan narrowing the gap to 3-1 in the fourth inning and further challenging Schmitt in subsequent innings, Illinois maintained their advantage.
In the eighth inning, Westcott extended Illinois' lead to 5-2 with his home run. However, Michigan responded with two homers of their own to tie the game at 5-5. Bates managed to escape a ninth-inning jam by inducing a double play that sent the game into extra innings.
Schroeder's home run in the tenth inning put Illinois ahead once more, and Bates closed out the game by retiring Michigan's batters in order.
Looking ahead, Illinois will face UCLA next. The winner will advance to the semifinal round of the tournament.
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