In its third trip to Florida this season, the Illinois baseball team remembered to pack the brooms.

The Illini swept their three games at the Stetson Invitational in Deland, Florida, taking down Central Michigan, Stetson and Villanova.EJ

“Coming out with three wins is what we set out to do,” said head coach Dan Hartleb.EJ “We still have a number of things to clean up, but guys are finding ways to do enough to win games.”

The Illini set the tone for the weekend early on in their 9-4 win over Central Michigan.EJ Illinois put five runs up on the board in the first inning, and never trailed in any of the three games.EJ

Junior Pat McInerney and freshman Luke Shilling both had three RBIs for the Illini.EJ Through the first six games of the season, McInerney had only one RBI, and Shilling had none.

The game against Central Michigan was Shilling’s second start of his career.EJ

“His play was huge,” said shortstop Adam Walton.EJ “We got a really good amount of depth this year, which is something we haven’t always had in the past. So when guys get spot starts and are able to contribute like he did then it is good for the program, it is good for the team and it is good for their confidence, too.”

Illinois followed up Friday’s victory with a 4-1 win over Stetson on Saturday and a 4-2 win against Villanova on Sunday.EJ

All three of Illinois’ opponents had losing records entering the Invitational.EJ But Hartleb likes Stetson’s chances of competing and says that his team will be rooting for them to turn it around and win some games – and improve Illinois’ RPI.

Walton had his best weekend of the season so far. He had six hits, including three on Sunday in the win over Villanova.EJ The leadoff hitter played his role perfectly, getting on base eight times and scoring three runs during the weekend.EJ

“I think my role on the team is to set the tone,” Walton said. “I think I am the energy guy. Whenever I can get on base in the leadoff spot then a lot of good things happen for the team and we score a lot of runs.”

The Illini bullpen stayed true to form, giving up two runs in 10 1/3 innings of work over the three games.ej

Senior closer Nick Blackburn picked up two saves, bringing his season total to four. Since his first outing of the season — when he gave up a game-winning three-run home run in the bottom of the 10th — Blackburn has picked up four saves in four opportunities.EJ He has only given up two hits on his way to picking up the four saves.

“Nick is just throwing strikes,” Hartleb said. “He is attacking hitters and we are playing great defense behind him. He doesn’t have to be perfect. He doesn’t need to be spectacular. He just needs to go out and pitch with confidence.”

Freshman Cole Bellair had another solid weekend. EJHe appeared twice for the Illini, giving up only two hits. Bellair has yet to give up a run this season.EJ

Walton said he likes where the Illini are at right now, and the sweep this weekend only built on the momentum that they have been building on the past two weeks.

“We are feeling great,” Walton said. “We have won six of the last seven. Honestly I think we should’ve swept last weekend at Florida Gulf Coast. So it’s been six of the last seven but could easily be seven of the last seven. Right now it is fun and we are playing well together as a team.

“It’s been a really good couple of weeks.”

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