Illinois Bounces EIU In Baseball Action

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois had two four run innings late in the game to break open a close game as No. 8 Illinois beat Eastern Illinois, 10-1, on Tuesday night.

EIU fell to 7-28 on the year and will host Eastern Kentucky for a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series this weekend. Illinois improved to 33-6-1.

EIU scored in the first inning as Joseph Duncan drew a walk to open the game and stole second. After reaching third on a sacrifice bunt, Duncan scored on a ground out by Caleb Howell.

That would be the only run Illinois starter Rob McDonnell (5-1) would allow as he scattered four hits in six innings of work.

EIU starter Andrew Grahn (1-1), a North Clay graduate, was also effective as he allowed only two runs in five innings of work. The two runs came in the bottom of the fifth on a David Kerian two-run homer.

Illinois broke open the game in the bottom of the sixth scoring four runs. The Fighting Illini drew five walks in the inning with two coming with bases loaded to score runs. Casey Fletcher added the big hit with a two-run single. Fletcher and Ryan Nagle each had two hits to lead Illinois.

Illinois added four runs in the eighth with Kelly Norris-Jones hitting a two-run triple as two of the four runs were unearned.

EIU was led at the plate by Demetre Taylor going 2-for-4. Teutopolis graduate Bobby Wenthe batted three times but was held without a hit.