Illini drop series finale to Purdue 11-2

By Steve Contorno

Illinois pitchers allowed 11 runs, all earned, and were only backed by two runs of supports against Purdue in the second half of Saturday’s double header. The loss was the Illini’s third of the weekend to the Boilermakers, who scored more than 11 runs in all their wins.

Starting pitcher Aaron Martin was charged with the loss, surviving just 3 and 1/3 innings before getting pulled. Illinois’ relief was no better, though. Four pitchers split the remaining innings and allowed six runs on 12 hits.

Only two Illini collected multiple hits in the game – Aaron Johnson and Daniel Webb – the team’s last of the regular season. The Big Ten Tournament begins Wednesday with Illinois facing Ohio State.