CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini used a three-run walkoff home run from Kyle Schupmann to cap off a wild Saturday at Illinois Field, with the Orange and Blue defeating No. 19 Oregon, 16-13.

The Illini recorded 12 runs over the final three innings, with the sides combining to score 21 times across the last three frames of the day.

Schupmann delivered the game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth, finishing his 2-for-5 day at the plate with four RBI and two runs scored. Michael Farina reached base four times and tallied three hits while scoring twice.

Nick Groves, J.R. Nelson, and AJ Putty all posted multi-hit days of their own. Groves and Nelson each generated two RBI, while Putty also drew three walks and scored three times.

On the mound, Sam Mommer secured the victory, tossing the final 1.2 innings without conceding a run while only allowing one baserunner.

The Ducks opened the scoring with two runs in the second, but the Illini responded with a four-run fourth to go in front. Daniel Contreras, Nelson, and Groves all drove in runs in the frame as the hosts went ahead, 4-2.

After Oregon answered with the game's next four runs to retake the lead, Illinois' offense exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the seventh to give the home side a 12-6 edge. The first five Illini hitters reached in the inning, while Luke Landrus' two-run single gave the hosts their first lead since the fourth. Sending 12 batters to the plate, the Illini held a six-run advantage after seven frames of action.

In the top of the eighth, the Ducks countered with a seven-run frame, putting the visitors ahead once more, but the Illini tacked on another run in the home half of the inning to tie the game at 13 after eight.

After Mommer posted a zero in the top of the ninth, the Illini bats came through once again in the bottom of the inning. Farina's single and Putty's intentional walk sent Schupmann to the plate with two outs. On the 10th pitch of an at-bat that featured six total foul balls, Schupmann connected on a long ball to right on a full count to clinch the Illini win.

POSTGAME NOTES

• Nick Groves went 2-for-6 with two extra-base hits and two RBI.
  • Collected his 13th multi-hit game of the season.
  • Recorded multiple RBI for the sixth time.
  • Has reached base in 35 of his 36 appearances this season.
• Michael Farina went 3-for-5 and scored twice.
  • Tied his season-high with three hits.
    • Has three hits in two games and 2+ hits in 13 outings.
  • Scored multiple runs for the 10th time.
• AJ Putty posted a 2-for-3 day at the plate with three walks and three runs.
  • Was his 11th multi-hit game of the season.
  • Tied his career-high with three walks.
    • Has multiple walks in four appearances. 
  • Equaled his career-high with three runs scored.
    • Has scored multiple times in eight games.
• Kyle Schupmann went a 2-for-5 day with a walkoff home run and four RBI.
  • Was his third homer of the season and his first at Illinois Field.
  • Marked his 10th multi-hit game of the year.
  • Tied his season-high with four RBI.
    • Had multiple RBI for the third time.
  • Scored multiple runs for the 11th time this season.
• Collin Jennings reached on two walks.
  • Has multiple walks in seven games.
    • Has two walks in five of the last six contests.
• Daniel Contreras went 1-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.
  • Scored multiple times for the fifth time.
• Luke Landrus went 1-for-2 with a pinch-hit two-run single.
  • Became the first multi-RBI game of his career.
• J.R. Nelson went 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBI.
  • Holds the team's longest active on-base streak of 13 games.
  • Was his fifth multi-hit game of the season.
  • Recorded multiple RBI for the fourth time.
  • Scored multiple runs for the sixth time.
• Sam Mommer secured the win, throwing 1.2 shutout innings.
  • Was his eighth scoreless appearance of the season.
• The Illini are now 2-4 against ranked opponents this season.
  • Marked the first ranked home win for the Illini this season.
  • The Illini have multiple ranked wins in a season for the first time since 2023.
• Illinois drew 10 walks against the Duck pitching staff.
  • Posted double-digit walks for the fourth time this season.

UP NEXT

The Fighting Illini (20-17, 8-9 B1G) wrap up the weekend with the rubber match and series finale against No. 19 Oregon at Illinois Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.