March 30, 2011
Final Stats
Post-Game Interview
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -
Illinois scored seven runs in the fifth inning to pull away from Illinois State, as the Redbirds lost, 14-2, at Illinois Field in Champaign, Ill., Wednesday evening. Ryan Court scored both of ISU's (15-7) runs on a pair of solo home runs. Justin Parr led Illinois (8-10) with a 3-for-4 effort, including a run and a RBI
"Illinois just outplayed us in every area," Redbird head coach Mark Kingston said. "They pitched better, they hit better and they played much better defense. Now, the key is, how will we respond? We need to make sure that we use this experience as motivation to keep working hard in order to get back on track."
Redbird starter JD Learnard (2-2) limited Illinois to one run through the first four innings, allowing the Fighting Illini to score the game's first run on a second-inning RBI single by Justin Parr. Illinois State's offense was held scoreless through the first five innings, allowing Illinois to blow the game open in the bottom of the fifth.
Learnard gave up back-to-back hits to Parr and Willie Argo to lead off the fifth inning, and then intentionally walked Casey McMurray to load the bases with no outs. Once again, the Illini knocked out back-to-back hits, as Adam Davis drove in Parr, and Matt Dittman plated Argo. With the bases still loaded, Learnard hit Brandon Hohl, allowing McMurray to come home. Dittman and Davis scored on an error charged to first baseman Zach Amrein. Illinois capped off its fifth inning scoring barrage with a two-RBI double by Thomas Lindauer, putting Illinois in front, 8-0.
Court scored Illinois State's first run in the sixth inning, with a solo home run. However, Illinois added three more in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly by Dittman and a two-RBI triple by Hohl. The Fighting Illini scored another run in the seventh with a Parr single.
ISU plated its other run in the top of the eighth, as Court once again hit a solo homer, his fourth long-ball of the season. Illinois scored two more times in the bottom of the eighth as Redbird pitcher Joe Claver walked in a run and hit a batter to score another Illini tally.
The Redbirds drop to 31-44 in their all-time series against Illinois. Illinois State will try to avenge its loss when the Redbirds host Illinois April 19. ISU returns to action this weekend with a four-game, non-conference home-series against Chicago State, beginning Friday at 3 p.m. at Duffy Bass Field in Normal, Ill.
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