CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois rallied to defeat Penn State in the 10th inning, 2-1, in Big Ten baseball action on a chilly and windy Friday night at Illinois Field.
Shortstop Ben Troike hit an RBI-single with runners on the corners and two outs to drive in the game-winning run, unearned, for Illinois (23-13, 4-6 Big Ten).
The loss spoiled an otherwise strong outing for Penn State (17-16, 1-11 Big Ten) starter LHP Dante Biasi (Hazle Township, Pa.) For the third time this season, Biasi did not allow a run, working 5.1 innings and striking out nine, with just four hits and three walks allowed. RHP Mason Mellott (4-3) took over in the sixth and worked the final 4.1 innings, striking out three.
The Fighting Illini countered with LHP Andy Fisher went five innings to start, allowing the one run on three hits and four walks with eight strikeouts, and RHP Sean Leland (4-2), who earned the win with five innings of relief in which he allowed just one hit and struck out seven.
Penn State was first on the scoreboard after second baseman Connor Klemann (Royersford, Pa.) hit a triple to center field on the first pitch of the third inning, and then scored on an RBI-groundout by shortstop Conlin Hughes (Holly Springs, N.C.)
Illinois threatened with runners at third base in the first three innings and the sixth before tying the game in the seventh with a lead-off triple by second baseman Michael Massey and a one-out sacrifice fly to left by first baseman Kellen Sarver.
The Nittany Lions worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth, but were unable to keep the runner at third in the 10th.
The series continues Saturday at 4 p.m. ET and concludes Sunday starting at 1 p.m. ET.
The 2019 Penn State baseball season is presented by the Family Clothesline. Tickets are on sale online by clicking here or by calling the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park ticket office at 814-272-1711.
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NOTES: Jordan Bowersox extended his hitting streak to 14 games … Dante Biasi has held opponents to one earned run or less in eight out of 10 starts this season and two earned runs or less in nine out of 10 … Biasi's nine strikeouts marked his fifth start with nine or more strikeouts this season … With 12 strikeouts Penn State has now struck out nine or more batters in 27 out of 33 games this season … 10 of Penn State's 11 conference losses have been by two or less runs, and five of those have been one run losses.
