Illini Baseball Sweeps Billikens
Illinois outfielders Jack Yalowitz (3), Doran Turchin (20), and Dan Rowbottom celebrate after a 6-2 win over St. Louis University. FightingIllini.com
The Illini baseball team swept St. Louis University in a three-game series, capped by a 6-2 win in Sunday's finale. The Illini improved to 17-16 overall after the three-game sweep, while the Billikens fell to 16-21.
Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb was pleased to see six different players drive in a run in yesterday's game.
"Teams that do have threats from top to bottom are the teams that are tough," Hartleb said. "They're tough to pitch to. You don't give the pitcher a break at all, and we're starting to be more productive top to bottom. As we continue to improve there, then it will help us as far as winning down the line."
Illini second baseman Michael Hurwitz picked up a hit to extend his hitting streak to 19 games. Hurwitz says his approach has stayed the same throughout the season, but the hits are just starting to fall in for him.
"Early in the year it kind of felt like I was hitting the ball well but finding a lot of gloves," Hurwitz said, "and now everything is kind of falling for me."
Catcher Jason Goldstein had three hits for the Illini to raise his batting average to a team best .343. Freshman pitcher Cole Bellair gave up just two runs in 6 2/3 innings for his first victory of the season.
Illinois travels to Mattoon Tuesday evening for a matchup with in-state foe Eastern Illinois before returning home for a Big Ten series against Ohio State starting Friday evening.