Illinois loses rubber match in series at No. 15 Indiana

In a series that would have been nice to have for the RPI and momentum entering the homestretch of the season, Illinois couldn’t pull through.

Illinois lost the rubber match of a three-game series at No. 15 Indiana on Sunday afternoon, 9-2. The Hoosiers took Saturday’s game in 12 innings after the Illini squeaked by 3-2 in the series opener.

Indiana held a 4-2 lead entering the bottom of the seventh, but the Hoosiers batted around in the frame and scored five runs, opening up the game into a seven-run lead.

Illinois’ offense was cool all weekend, scoring only six runs over the three games. First baseman Bren Spillane put the Illini on the board with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning that scored Zac Taylor.

The Illini added another run on Michael Michalak’s infield single in the seventh inning.

Indiana scored three runs in the second inning due to two home runs. They added a third home run later in the afternoon.

Sophomore Ty Weber takes the loss after going six innings and allowed six earned runs on six hits.

Shortstop Ben Troike recorded a single to extend his Big Ten-long on-base streak to 44 games.

The Illini (25-14, 10-5 Big Ten) return to the diamond Tuesday night when they welcome Southern Illinois to Illinois Field. Ohio State then visits for a weekend series beginning on Friday night.