Illinois rallies in the ninth, but No. 15 Indiana walk-off to take Game Two, 2-1

The Illinois baseball team (25-13) lost a heartbreaker to the No. 15 Indiana Hoosiers (30-10) after catcher Drew Ashley hit a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 12th inning.

The Hoosiers’ 2-1 victory over the Illini officially makes the series split after the Illini took Game One, 3-2.

Indiana once again started the scoring off in the first inning, grabbing a run thanks to an RBI single from Matt Gorski. But that was it for the Hoosiers when it came to runs in regulation as Illinois starting pitcher Quinn Snarskis had a dominant outing.

Snarskis went seven innings, giving up only that one run in the first inning, on seven hits and striking out three Hoosiers at the plate.

On the opposing side, Indiana pitcher Cameron Beauchamp held Illinois to zero runs in his outing, going six innings, giving up only two hits and striking out four.

The Illini had to put it all on the table in the top of ninth inning, if they wanted to tie the game up. And with two outs and first baseman Bren Spillane on second after getting walked and advanced to second on a groundout, outfielder Jack Yalowitz did just that with an RBI single right up the middle.

Reliever Quentin Sefcik then gave Illinois 2.1 scoreless inning out of the bullpen when he came in during the eighth inning, however, his team couldn’t capitalize in extras during his showing.

Reliever Ryan Thompson took over the duties on the mound for Sefcik and lasted an inning before Ashley hit the walk-off homer to right field.

Illinois’ offense was held in check, recording only five hits through the twelve innings.

The Illini and Hoosiers will battle for the series win tomorrow, April 29, at 1 p.m. CT.