OMAHA, Neb. – As the only team to appear in the Big Ten Tournament in each of the last 10 events, the Indiana baseball program won a game for the ninth time in those 10 appearances with a 4-3 victory over Illinois on Tuesday (May 23) on Charles Schwab Field.
Illinois (25-26) got the scoring started with one run in the top of the fifth inning before Indiana (41-16) got a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame. A pair of eighth innings runs for the Hoosiers proved useful, as the Fighting Illini plated a pair of unearned runs in the ninth to close the gap to one run.
Freshman Tyler Cerny led a trio of Hoosiers with multiple hits in the tournament opener with a 2-for-4 day at the plate. He doubled and scored the first run of the game to move his hitting streak to 10 games and tie a season-long streak. Senior Peter Serruto collected two hits, walked, drove in one RBI, and came around to score one run, while redshirt junior Bobby Whalen also chipped in two hits.
Freshman Devin Taylor singled, scored one run and drove in one RBI in the contest. Senior Hunter Jessee had the biggest swing of the game with a two-out RBI single in the eighth inning to move his hitting streak to a career-high-tying eight games.
Freshman Evan Whiteaker (2-0) took over on the mound in the fifth inning and covered the next 4 1/3 innings for the Hoosiers to earn the win. He allowed one unearned run on one hit and struck out a career-high six batters. Freshman Brayden Risedorph (6) collected the final two outs to pick up his sixth save of the season with one unearned run allowed and one strikeout.
Senior Ben Seiler made the start and took a no decision after two innings of scoreless work. Freshman Ethan Phillips tossed two innings and allowed one run on two hits.
Jack Wenninger (6-4) took the loss with two runs allowed on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings of a start. Logan Tabeling also allowed a pair of runs over one inning of work. Branden Comia drove in one RBI with a double and walked twice in the game. Six different Fighting Illini hitters accounted for six hits in the game.
Scoring Recap
Top Fifth
A walk to Danny Doligale was followed by a Branden Comia double to score the runner from first.
Illinois 1, Indiana 0
Bottom Fifth
With one out, Tyler Cerny doubled and came in to score on a Peter Serruto base hit up the middle. On the run scoring hit, Serruto moved up a base and eventually came around to score on a Devin Taylor RBI fielder’s choice.
Indiana 2, Illinois 1
Bottom Eighth
Taylor singled to start the inning and moved to second on a Brock Tibbitts walk. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners up, Josh Pyne grounded out and Taylor raced home to beat the throw at the plate. Hunter Jessee followed with an RBI single.
Indiana 4, Illinois 1
Top Ninth
With one runner on base and two outs, Illinois got an infield single and a walk to load the bases. After a throwing error allowed two runs to score, Brayden Risedorph coaxed a flyout to wrap up the win.
Indiana 4, Illinois 3
Up Next
Indiana earns an off day before it will face Iowa on Thursday, May 25 at 2 p.m. Each game of the Tournament will be carried on the Big Ten Network and Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.
