Five-run inning propels Illini baseball to win at Michigan

By Peter Zervakis

The Illini (20-8, 5-3 Big Ten) baseball team used a five-run rally in the sixth inning to knock off Michigan, 10-8, Saturday afternoon. The series is now even at one apiece and will be decided in tomorrow afternoon’s third game in Ann Arbor, Mich. Senior center fielder Joe Bonadonna batted 3-for-5 with four RBIs for Illinois, and first baseman Matt Dittman added two RBIs himself, hitting 2-for-3.

The Illini trailed 4-0 after three, but a Bonadonna single keyed a three-run fourth inning for the Orange and Blue. Dittman then homered in the fifth, and doubles from Bonadonna and fellow senior Dominic Altobelli in the sixth gave the Illini a 10-7 lead heading to the seventh.

Junior Alan Oaks’ seventh inning homer proved to be the final run of the day for the Wolverines. Oaks batted 2-for-5 with one RBI, and Michigan (19-12, 4-4) also got a nice performance from center fielder Ryan LaMarre. The sophomore went 2-for-3 with a team-high three RBIs.

Sophomore Lee Zerrusen was awarded the win for the Illini, and freshman Will Strack recorded the save.