The Illinois baseball team defeated Ohio State 5-4 on Friday night with a furious ninth-inning comeback.

The Illini trailed 4-1 before scoring a run in the bottom of the eighth to cut it to 4-2. In the bottom of the ninth, Pete Cappetta drew a one-out walk, and back-to-back errors by the Ohio State defense loaded the bases. Senior Joe Bonadonna then came through in a big way with a two-run single to left-center field to tie the game. Casey McMurray followed with a single to right field to end the game and send a record crowd into a frenzy.

Phil Haig pitched eight strong innings for Illinois, allowing four runs, all earned, on eight hits. But it was John Anderson who picked up the win, as he pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

With the win, Illinois improves to 32-14 with a conference record of 15-4. Ohio State is now two games behind the Illini in the Big Ten at 13-6. Minnesota defeated Michigan on Friday to stay a half-game back of the Illini at 14-4. Illinois and Ohio State continue their three-game series Saturday at 3:05 p.m.