Lloyd doubles, singles, knocks in pair for Indiana victory
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Indiana Hooisers (31-16, 12-6) took the series finale, 9-2, from the Illinois Fighting Illini (31-16, 10-8) on Sunday behind a strong starting effort from junior Andrew Saalfrank.
Key Moments
• Indiana got on the board in the top of the third. Senior Matt Lloyd (Okotoks, Alta.) delivered an RBI single with two outs, scoring sophomore Drew Ashley, who singled earlier in the inning.
• With two runners on via the walk and one out in the fifth, sophomore Elijah Dunham knocked out a three-run home run to give the Hoosiers a 4-0 advantage.
• Saalfrank ran into some trouble in the fifth but escaped it. With runners on second and third with one out, he punched out the three and four-hole hitters back-to-back to escape the jam.
• Senior Cade Bunnell reached base in the leadoff role via a hit-by-pitch in the seventh and then scored on sophomore Cole Barr’s two-run home run.
• Lloyd came through again with two outs in the eighth, as he tallied an RBI double to extend the lead to 7-0.
• Senior Ryan Fineman knocked out a two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to extend the lead to nine runs.
• Illinois hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to make it a 9-2 game.
NOTES
• Saalfrank allowed just four hits in seven innings, striking out eight and walking three. It marks his sixth quality start this season and IU’s 22nd this season.
• Despite his hitting streak coming to an end at 13 games, junior Matt Gorski extended his career-best reached base streak to 17 games.
• The junior also stole three bases, matching a career-high (June 3, 2018 vs. Texas A&M).
• Dunham’s home run was his second this weekend and the sixth of his career. He has recorded a hit in nine of his last 10 games and has walked in seven of his last eight games.
• Barr went deep for the 14th time this year, tying him with Lloyd for the Big Ten lead.
• Fineman has hit seven home runs this season (matches his career-high) and has now hit 19 for his career.