CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois Fighting Illini used an eight-run second inning to take command and coast to a 13-1 run rule win over the New Orleans Privateers on Friday at Illinois Field.
After both starting pitchers put up a scoreless first inning, the Illini offense sprayed the ball all over the field to the tune of six hits. They also had two walks and two hit by pitches in the frame.
Daniel Contreras started the scoring for the home team with an RBI single to left. Then Michael Farina drove in two of his three runs on an RBI single. The last two runs of the inning came across with two outs on the board.
New Orleans got a run back in the fourth inning. The Privateers loaded the bases with two outs when
Eddie Castillo drew one of two walks on the night. That set up
Dathan Cummings who hit an infield single behind the bag at third to drive in
Kruise Newman.
However, the Illini pounced in the fourth inning for two more runs. Farina drove in a run on an RBI single and a second run came across when Farina took off for second on a pitch in the dirt and Contreras crossed the plate on the ensuing play.
The Illini added three more runs in the fifth to put them in run rule territory. That included the only extra base hit of the night, an RBI triple by Nick Groves.
Eight Illinois starters got a hit and all nine scored at least one run. Groves went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Regan Hall got the win after he limited the Privateers to a run on three hits with six strikeouts in five innings.
INSIDE THE BOX
Brice Deaton struck out four batters over two innings and he induced the Privateers' 38
th double play turned this season in the sixth inning. Cummings,
Eli Tidwell and
Owen Smith each had a hit.
NEXT UP
The series continues with a 3 p.m. first pitch on Saturday.
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