May 1, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Northwestern jumped out to an early lead but was unable to hold No. 28 Illinois down in dropping a 10-2 decision in the opening game of a three-game series Friday afternoon at Rocky Miller Park.
The Wildcats (12-28, 3-11 Big Ten) collected consecutive hits to open each of the first two innings but settled for just one run in the second to take the early lead. Chad Noble and Kenneth Avila started the second frame with back-to-back singles, setting the stage for Chris Kontos.
The freshman designated hitter laid a perfect bunt down the third base line and when Dominic Altobelli threw wide of first, Noble was able to race around from second. NU had a chance for more, but Phil Haig induced double plays to end both innings.
Illinois (28-13, 12-4) evened the score at 1-1 in the top of the third as Willie Argo connected for his team-leading 10th home run of the season just inside the left-field foul pole.
Northwestern reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the third on a blast by Chris Lashmet to straight-away center, his fourth round-tripper of the season. But Joe Muraski ran into trouble in the ensuing half-inning as a three-run homer by Aaron Johnson put the Illini up 4-2.
Argo came through with a big two-out hit in the sixth as Illinois extended its lead. The freshman's single to center plated Brandon Wikoff and Altobelli as the guests pushed their advantage to four.
The Illini took advantage of a Northwestern error in the ninth to score four runs and put the game out of reach. Joe Bonadonna and Casey McMurray had run-scoring hits in the frame, while Wikoff added a sac fly.
After allowing five hits in the first three innings, Haig settled in and held the Wildcats scoreless while allowing just one hit over the final six frames.
Avila paced Northwestern offensively with a pair of hits.
The teams resume their series with a contest beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday at Rocky Miller Park.