EAST LANSING, Mich. — Illinois baseball (14-10, 4-4) swept today’s doubleheader at Michigan State, winning the opener, 9-6, and the nightcap, 10-3, at McLane Stadium.
GAME 1 | Illinois 9, Michigan State 6
At the plate, the Fighting Illini were led by Collin Jennings, who went 3-for-3 on the day with a double, a home run, two walks and four RBI. Jacob Schroeder also turned in a solid performance at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a home run and an RBI. Jack Zebig chipped in with two hits in six trips to the plate while adding two RBI.
Nolan Girard earned his first-career win out of the bullpen, turning in 1.0 scoreless frames. Zach Bates picked up his first save of the season, tossing 2.0 shutout innings, striking out one.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Spartans took a 3-0 lead after first before the Illini got a run back in the fourth from Vytas Valincius’ sacrifice fly.
Michigan State pushed their lead to five, at 6-1, after scoring a run in the fifth and two in the sixth, but Illinois was able to get a run across in the seventh on a Jennings’ bases-loaded walk.
Following a 43-minute lightning delay, the Orange and Blue stormed back with six runs in the eighth to seize control of the contest. Zebig singled home a pair of runs and Kyle Schupmann picked up an RBI on an infield single. Jennings cleared the bases with a no-doubter to right , giving the Illini an 8-6 lead.
After Bates spun a big shutdown inning in the bottom half of the eighth, Schroeder gave Illinois some insurance with a solo blast in the ninth.
Michigan State would put its first two batters on to start the home half of the ninth but Bates retired the next three, thanks to spectacular game-ending catch by Coltin Quagliano, to secure the 9-6 win for Illinois.
GAME NOTES
» Collin Jennings went 3-for-3 with a run, double, home run, four RBI and two walks.
» Reached safely in all five plate appearances.
» Has homered in three-straight games, longest streak by an Illini this season.
» Kyle Schupmann went 3-for-5 with two runs.
» Fourth three-hit game of the season.
» Jacob Schroeder went 2-for-5 with two runs, a home run and an RBI.
» Has homered in consecutive games for the first time this season.
» Nolan Girard earned his first-career win.
» Has started his collegiate career making three-straight scoreless appearances.
» Zach Bates earned his first save of the season.
» Second scoreless appearance this season with 2.0 innings pitched.
» Every Illinois starter reached base safely in the win.
» Illinois’ highest scoring inning was the eighth, when it pushed six runs across.
» Fourth time this season scoring six runs or more in the seventh inning or later this season.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Spartans at a 13-12 clip.
» Illinois pitchers limited Michigan State to just 3-for-17 (.176) with runners in scoring position.
» Illinois pitchers faced 45 Michigan State hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and 13 fly balls while striking out three.
» The Fighting Illini drew seven walks from Michigan State pitching.
GAME 2 | Illinois 10, Michigan State 3
The Fighting Illini were led by Will Johannes, who went 2-for-4 on the day with two home runs, a walk and three RBI. Collin Jennings continued his tear at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI. Coltin Quagliano also tallied three hits, adding a double and an RBI.
Ben Plumley earned the win with his first-career quality start, working 6.0 innings, allowing one run on three hits, with a career-high matching seven strikeouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a pitcher’s duel early, with both hurlers trading zeroes through the first four innings. Plumley allowed just two hits during that span, striking out five batters.
Johannes sent the very first pitch of the fifth inning out to dead center for his first-career home run at Illinois, giving the Illini a 1-0.
The Spartans responded with a solo shot of their own in the home half of the inning to knot it back up at 1-1.
Plumley then tossed a scoreless sixth, picking up two more punchouts along the way, setting up another big inning for Illinois.
The Orange and Blue would send 14 to the plate in the seventh, scoring nine times on eight hits. Coltin Quagliano started the inning with a base hit and Johannes would crush his second home run of the night to put Illinois in front for good, at 3-1. Jenning, Vytas Valincius and Quagliano all tallied RBI-hits in the frame while Schupmann and Quagliano each scored on wild pitches. Cameron Chee-Aloy also scored on an error in the inning as Illinois took a commanding 9-1 lead.
Michigan State would plate two more runs in the contest but it would not be enough as Illinois cruised to the 10-3 win, claiming the doubleheader sweep and clinching its first Big Ten series win of the season.
UP NEXT
The Fighting Illini are back in action tomorrow for the series finale at Michigan State. First pitch at McLane Stadium is set for 11:02 a.m. CT.
GAME NOTES
» Coltin Quagliano went 3-for-5 with two runs, a double and an RBI.
» First three-hit game of the season.
» Extended his season-long hitting streak to eight games…has gone 12-for-32 (.375) during that span with four doubles, a home run and five RBI.
» Will Johannes went 2-for-4 with two runs, two home runs, three RBI and a walk.
» Hit first-career home run and recorded his first-career multi-HR game at Illinois.
» Collin Jennings went 2-for-5 with a run, double and two RBI.
» Extended his career-long hitting streak to 10 games…has gone 16-for-38 (.421) during that span with four doubles, a triple, four home runs and 17 RBI.
» Has driven in at least two runs in four-straight contests.
» Nick Groves went 2-for-4 with a run and a walk.
» 10th multi-hit performance of the season.
» Ben Plumley turned in his first-career quality start to earn his second win of the season.
» 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 7 SO
» Matched his career high with seven strikeouts…has at least six strikeouts in four of his seven starts.
» Every Illinois starter reached base safely in the win.
» Illinois’ highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed nine runs across.
» Fifth time this season scoring six runs or more in the seventh inning or later this season.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Spartans at a 12-7 clip.
» Illinois went 4-for-10 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» Illinois pitchers limited Michigan State to just 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
» Illinois pitchers faced 36 Michigan State hitters in the game, allowing two ground balls and 13 fly balls while striking out 11.
» The Fighting Illini drew seven walks from Michigan State pitching.
» The Illini have won six-straight over the Spartans and 11 of the last 12 overall.
» Illinois has also won four-straight games in East Lansing.
