The University of Illinois Fighting Illini baseball team lost to Illinois State, 13-6, on April 21 at Illinois Field.
The result is significant as the Illini continue their season with a mix of conference and non-conference games that contribute to their competitive experience, according to the official website. The loss comes as the team prepares for a three-game series against No. 20 Nebraska.
During the game, Michael Farina, AJ Putty, and Jack Zebig each recorded two hits. Putty led with four runs batted in. Farina went 2-for-3 at bat with two walks and scored twice, marking his fifteenth multi-hit outing this season and third consecutive game with multiple hits. Zebig had his third multi-hit performance of the year by going 2-for-5 at the plate.
Putty’s effort included his thirteenth multi-hit game this season and third straight two-hit appearance. He also posted four or more runs batted in for the third time this year and leads the team with multiple RBI performances in eleven games.
On defense, Brayden Mazzacano pitched 2.1 innings with two strikeouts—matching his career high—and achieved his longest outing of the season so far. Olivier Martel contributed a scoreless appearance over 1.2 innings, tying his career high with four strikeouts during what was his fifth shutout performance this year. Ryan Johnson closed out by pitching a scoreless ninth inning for his first shutout appearance of the season.
The Fighting Illini baseball program operates under NCAA Division I and Big Ten Conference rules as part of university athletics according to its official website. The program provides student-athletes opportunities for competition, development, and academic achievement while competing in intercollegiate athletics at the University of Illinois.
Looking ahead, Illinois (20-19 overall; 8-10 Big Ten) will finish its homestand facing Nebraska starting Friday evening; admission is free throughout the weekend series which will be streamed on B1G+.
