TAMPA, Fla. – Illinois fell in its season opener on the road against USF, 9-4, on Friday night at Red McEwen Field at USF Baseball Stadium.
The Fighting Illini (0-1) scored the first three runs of the night, but the Bulls responded with big innings in the fifth and seventh frames en route to the victory.
Michael Farina marked his Division-I debut with a 2-for-3 day at the plate, including a solo home run in the third inning and a double in the sixth. Reaching base three times on the night, he was also hit by a pitch in the fourth.
Will Johannes and Jack Zebig accounted for the Illini's other two RBI, with Johannes driving in a run on a single in the third and Zebig bringing home Farina on a double in the sixth.
GAME NOTES
- Five Illini made their Illinois debuts on Friday: Daniel Contreras, Michael Farina, J.R. Nelson, AJ Putty, and Cole Warehime.
- Three Illini debutants earned a spot in the opening-day lineup: Farina, Putty, and Warehime.
- Michael Farina went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, and two runs scored.
- Registered Illinois' first home run of the season in the third inning.
- Nick Groves went 1-for-5 at the plate.
- Extended his on-base streak to 14 games.
- Jack Zebig posted a 1-for-4 day at the plate with a double and an RBI.
- Has reached base in eight straight contests.
- Kyle Schupmann's walk in the third inning saw him extend his on-base streak to 12 games.
- Will Johannes went 1-for-4 against the Bulls.
- Now has a hit in four consecutive games.
- Luke Landrus posted a 1-for-3 outing, including a double and a walk.
- Recorded his first extra-base hit of his college career.
- The Illini had two two-out RBI on Friday.
UP NEXT
Game 2 of the Illini's three-game series at USF is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. CT.
