Crowder’s gem leads Illinois to first NCAA Tournament win since 2015

LEXINGTON, Ken. — The NCAA Tournament has been host to a number of high-scoring affairs thus far, with the average game having just over 11 runs. On Friday evening at Kentucky Proud Park, Illinois, the No. 3 seed in the regional, didn’t need anywhere near 11 to take down 2-seed Indiana State.

Solid pitching, impressive defense, and just enough offensive production saw the Illini cruise to a 4-1 victory to open up their journey to the College World Series.

The victory is Illinois’ first since 2015, when it reached and hosted the Super Regional.

Heading into Friday, it was well-known that the Sycamores are a force to be reckoned with.

They’re ranked 10th in the RPI and one of 18 teams in the nation to have recorded 40 wins this season. Many felt the Sycamores could have even hosted a regional for a second straight year.

The Sycamores, though, are a familiar foe for Dan Hartleb and co.

Illinois and Indiana State have played twice this season, once in Terre Haute and once in Champaign. The home fixture for the Sycamores saw them rally back from down 6-1 to win 7-6.

The game in Champaign was nowhere near that close. Illinois would send the ball over the fences seven times en route to run-ruling the Sycamores, who were then ranked 24th in the nation, 21-11.

It’s only fitting that the third meeting between the teams would be neutral site, right?

HOW IT HAPPENED

The game started out as a defensive one, with both pitchers and their respective infielders playing their part. That would come to a stop in the third inning, which saw the Illini load the bases before Drake Westcott would bring two runners home on a single.

Illinois starter Jack Crowder’s bid for a no-hitter would be put to a halt not too long after, when a Randal Diaz flyball would narrowly stay in fair territory for a solo home run.

The Illini would put the Sycamores on their heels again in the sixth inning, loading the bases for a second time, but unable to bring anybody home this time.

With his runners getting onto base but struggling to find home, Crowder would stand strong on the mound. He’d out-pitch four Indiana State pitchers before finishing his night, throwing eight innings (a career-high) and allowing three hits and one run while striking out five.

The one luxury Crowder had over his Indiana State counterparts was more rest between the innings. Illinois’ batters would cause trouble for the Sycamore pitchers.

Indiana State’s pitchers struggled to find the strike zone, too. They allowed 16 baserunners on the day, just six coming from hits.

In the bottom of the seventh, an impressive grab and sling from shortstop Cal Hejza would keep the Sycamores at bay. To that point, they had just two players reach base.

Great situational hitting in the eighth would see the Illini bring another runner home to double their lead.

Then, in the top of the ninth, Illinois batters would continue to cause problems for Sycamore pitchers. After Jar Spencer walked Connor Milton, closer Simon Gregerson took to the mound. After two groundouts and an intentional walk, a passed ball saw Milton score an insurance run for the Illini.

Joe Glassey would take the mound from the bullpen to claim his ninth save of the season and the Illini would finish business, capping off an impressive defensive performance in a 4-1 win.

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS

After an impressive outing, what’s more satisfying than a ice cold Powerade bath?

STANDOUT PLAYERS

• Jack Crowder (RHP): 8 IP*, 1 ER, 3 H, 5 K, 106 Pitches
• Drake Westcott (1B): 2/4, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB

*career-high

UP NEXT

After the win, Illinois will move on to take on the Kentucky Wildcats. The hosts are the No. 2 seed nationally, and are 21-6 this year when they play at Kentucky Proud Park. The Wildcats are coming off of a 10-8 victory over Western Michigan, a game that they led 8-0 at one point before the Broncos tied it up.

First pitch is scheduled to be at 7 p.m., and the game can be seen on ESPN+.