CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini secured a series win over Minnesota after the sides split Saturday's doubleheader at Illinois Field. The Golden Gophers grabbed a 1-0 win in Game 1 before the Orange and Blue claimed a 4-2 victory in Game 2.
Illinois is now 10-8 overall and 2-4 in conference play, while Minnesota moved to 15-5 and 1-2 against Big Ten opponents.
In Game 1, Regan Hall registered his third straight quality start, going 6.1 innings with no earned runs and five strikeouts. Sam Reed and Liam McKillop notched scoreless outings in relief.
The second game saw the Illini score four times in the seventh inning, turning a one-run deficit into a three-run lead. That frame saw the hosts send nine runners to the plate, posting two hits and three walks to plate four runs. Jack Zebig, Brayden Mazzacano, J.R. Nelson, and Nick Groves all tallied RBI for the Illini in the inning.
Kyle Remington recorded the win, going four innings in relief while striking out three. Aidan Flinn got the start and fired four scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Reed Gannon got the save after getting the nod in the ninth.
GAME NOTES
- Nick Groves reached on a walk in the first game and went 1-for-3 in Game 2.
- Extended his on-base streak to 30 games.
- His 30-game on-base streak is tied for the 10th-best stretch for an Illini since 2004.
- Michael Farina got on base via a hit by pitch in both games.
- Has reached base in each of his first 18 games as an Illini.
- AJ Putty posted a hit in both games.
- Has a hit in 11 of the last 12 games.
- Collin Jennings collected base hits in both contests on Saturday.
- Has a hit in four consecutive games.
- Jack Zebig notched his sixth RBI of the season in Game 2.
- Brayden Mazzacano tallied his fifth RBI of the season in Game 2.
- J.R. Nelson totaled three walks across the two games.
- Tied his season-high with two walks in Game 2.
- Has now reached in each of the last four games.
- Has an RBI in three of the last four games.
- Regan Hall went 6.1 innings with five strikeouts and zero earned runs.
- Has logged three consecutive quality starts.
- Has 5+ strikeouts in three of his five appearances this season.
- Sam Reed threw 2.1 innings of one-hit, shutout ball in Game 1.
- Has now allowed no earned runs in each of his four outings this season.
- His last two appearances have been at least two innings.
- Aidan Flinn got the start in Game 2, going four scoreless innings.
- Tallied the longest outing of his collegiate career.
- Tied his career-high with four strikeouts.
- Has allowed one run or fewer in each of his five appearances.
- Posted the second shutout outing of his career.
- Kyle Remington registered the win in Game 2, going four innings with one run allowed and three strikeouts.
- Recorded his third victory of the season.
- His four innings marked a new season-high.
- Has totaled at least three strikeouts in four of his five appearances.
- Reed Gannon got the save in Game 2.
- Marked his second save of the season and the third of his career.
- The Illini have now won six straight series against Minnesota.
UP NEXT
Illinois takes on Indiana State for a midweek road matchup on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. CT before returning to Illinois Field for a three-game series against Rutgers next weekend.
