The Illinois baseball team split a doubleheader with Minnesota on Saturday. The Illini took the first game, 10-7, before falling in the nightcap, 12-8.

With the split, the Illini now stand at 23-11 on the season and 8-4 in the Big Ten. Illinois sits one game behind conference leader Ohio State and one-half game back of second place Indiana.

In game one, the Gophers jumped out to a 4-0 lead. But Illinois used a six-run seventh inning to grab their first lead of the day, and Aaron Martin picked up his third save of the season to close the deal. Corey Kimes was credited win the win, pitching two innings of relief and giving up two runs. Casey McMurray led the offense, hitting 2-for-5 with two RBIs and scoring two runs.

Minnesota responded in game two with a four-run seventh inning after trailing 5-4 entering the inning. Bryan Roberts took the loss for Illinois, giving up seven runs in 6 1/3 innings. Matt Dittman went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI in the loss.