The Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the New Orleans Privateers 13-1 on Apr. 10 in the opening game of their baseball series at Illinois Field.
The result was decided early after Illinois scored eight runs in the second inning, setting a commanding lead that they maintained throughout the game. The match ended under run rule conditions.
Both teams were scoreless through the first inning, but Illinois broke through with six hits, two walks, and two hit batters in the second. Daniel Contreras started the scoring with an RBI single to left field. Michael Farina followed by driving in two runs with another single, and two more runs came across before the inning ended.
New Orleans managed to get on the board in the fourth inning when Eddie Castillo drew a walk to load the bases for Dathan Cummings, who delivered an infield single to drive home Kruise Newman. However, Illinois responded quickly with two more runs in their half of the fourth. Farina contributed again with an RBI single and later scored as Contreras crossed home plate during a play on a pitch in the dirt.
Illinois extended their lead further by adding three more runs in the fifth inning, including an RBI triple from Nick Groves—the only extra base hit of the night. Eight out of nine Illini starters recorded hits and all nine scored at least once. Groves finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored while Regan Hall earned credit for limiting New Orleans to one run over five innings pitched.
Brice Deaton struck out four batters over two innings for New Orleans and helped turn their 38th double play this season during his time on mound. Cummings, Eli Tidwell, and Owen Smith each had one hit for New Orleans.
The series is set to continue Saturday afternoon.
