After an offseason of patiently waiting, Illinois (2-1) traveled to Texas to take on Abilene Christian (1-2). The Wildcats aren’t necessarily a powerhouse playing in the Western Athletic Conference, but they’re not a cakewalk. In 2024, the Wildcats went 33-25, which included a quarterfinal win in the University Credit Union WAC Baseball Tournament.
Illinois and Abilene Christian played a three-game series where Illinois came out on top 2-1. In the sole loss for Illinois, the team fell in extra innings. However, in the next two games, Illinois won by comfortable five- and four-run margins.
Season opener
Every program in college baseball would love to get out to a fast start by winning the season opener. But that didn’t happen, as Illinois lost 10-9 in 10 innings.
The game wasn’t all bad, though, as senior outfielder Vytas Valincius lived up to the hype. Valincius dominated right out of the gate, going 3-for-5 with a double and a home run. Junior outfielder Nick Groves showed out for his Illinois debut, going 2-for-4 with two hits and three RBI.
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The combination of patience and power was key to keeping Illinois in the game as eight players reached base via walks. Unfortunately for the Illini, they were outhit 16-12.
The pitching was also a struggle throughout the game. Junior right-hander Mitch Dye didn’t perform well, allowing four earned runs in just 0.1 innings. Redshirt senior left-hander Payton Hutchings had a similar fate, allowing four earned runs in 1.2 innings. Opening pitcher junior right-hander Tyler Schmitt had a solid outing, only giving up one earned run in 3.1 innings.
“We did a poor job on the mound today,” said head coach Dan Hartleb. “We put 11 guys on base between walks and hit-by-pitches; five or six of them scored. It’s tough to win a game when you do that.”
At one point, Illinois led the game 7-1 before entering the fifth inning. Illinois gave up eight runs across the fifth and sixth. It tied the game in the seventh, but the bats went cold in extras. At the top of the 10th, Abilene Christian took back the lead and won the ballgame.
Battling back
However, the weekend wasn’t over for Illinois, and the visitors returned with a strong second outing. Entering the fifth down 1-0, Illinois lit up the bats and scored in four straight innings. The explosion was highlighted by a seven-run seventh inning.
Redshirt sophomore infielder Kyle Schupmann began the scoring with a single that brought home sophomore outfielder Cameron Chee-Aloy in the fifth. Illinois followed this up with a two-run sixth inning.
While trailing by a single run in the seventh, Valincius hit a single that brought Groves home to tie the game. Illinois was not done there when another single, this time hit by junior infielder Greg LaChance, brought two runners home to take the lead.
Illinois finished the scoring in the seventh with Valincius’ walk, which brought Chee-Aloy home. It made the score 10-4. After a one-run top of the eighth from Abilene Christian, Illinois unleashed a dagger in the form of a home run from senior infielder Coltin Quagliano.
“You know, the offense has done a good job turning the page,” Hartleb said. “I was really pleased today. We give up the lead, and then our offense turns around and gets it right back.”
Capturing the series
Illinois concluded this series with a dominant pitching performance by junior right-hander Julius Sanchez. Sanchez was on the mound for seven innings and only allowed three hits.
Illinois’ offense was quiet throughout the game until a six-run eighth inning. The Illini got on the board after being down 2-0 from a bases-loaded walk by Groves. Illinois then tied it with a sacrifice fly from Valincius that brought home Chee-Aloy.
A two-run home run from redshirt senior infielder Drake Westcott capped the inning a few batters later. Senior right-hander Ryan Daly got the win, only allowing two hits in the last two innings and ending the game on a double play.
Illinois stays in Texas this week, moving on to play Texas State (3-0) beginning Friday. The first two games will be live on WDWS at 1400 AM, and the series finale will be on fightingillini.com. Game 1 is the only contest on TV and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
