Illinois Completes Doubleheader Sweep with 5-2 Win Over OSU – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/24/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 24, 2003
Box Score
BRADENTON, Fla. – Illinois used two home runs in the first inning to jump out to an early 3-0 lead on its way to a 5-2 victory over Ohio State to complete a non-conference doubleheader sweep of the Buckeyes Monday at IMG Academy.
Illinois wasted little time and scored three runs on a pair of home runs by Brandon Cashman and Dusty Bensko. Cashman’s blast also scored T.F. Meager, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the game.
The Illini (10-2) scored another run in the second inning. Sean Patrick led off the inning with a single to shallow centerfield and then moved to third on a throwing error by OSU starting pitcher Nate Smith (Sr., Bryan, Ohio/Bryan) who fielded a Meager ground ball. Patrick scored on a ground out by Andy Schutzenhofe.
Ohio State (8-6) got on the board in the bottom of the third, scoring twice to pull within a 4-2 score. Mike Rabin (So., West Chester, Ohio/Lakota East) grounded out to lead off the inning and then Brett Garrard (Jr., Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) singled through the left side. He avoided a tag at the plate on a double by Christian Snavely (Jr., Defiance, Ohio/Defiance). Snavely advanced to third on the throw home and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Terry Pettorini (Jr., Wooster, Ohio/Wooster).
A lead-off single by designated hitter Trevor Frederickson led to another Illini run in the sixth inning to give them a three-run advantage. Rowe came in to pinch run for Frederickson and advanced to second on a ground out by Parenti. He scored on a base hit to leftfield by Patrick to put Illinois up 5-2.
Pettorini went 2-for-2 with one RBI to lead the way for Ohio State. Snavely had the other RBI in going 1-for-2 with one RBI and one run scored. The Buckeyes mounted just five hits to go with one error to counter six hits and no errors by Illinois, which were led by Patrick’s 2-for-3 effort at the plate.
Smith got the loss to fall to 1-2 on the year. He went 6.0 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits. He had three strikeouts and one walk. Chris Hanners (So., Groveport, Ohio/DeSales) pitched the final inning. Josh Lane got the win for the Illini, pitching all seven innings, allowing two Buckeye runs on five hits, to improve to 3-0 on the year.
Ohio State and Illinois will play a nine-inning series finale Tuesday at noon at IMG Academy.
