The Illinois Fighting Illini picked up a stunning 3-1 victory over the number 1 ranked LSU Tigers on Friday evening. The game was tied at 1 in the top of the ninth inning when Aaron Johnson hit a two out two run homer to give the Fighting Illini a 3-1 lead which they held onto. We talked with Coach Hartleb during the preseason about his expectations for the squad which is available by clicking here. You can check out the full press release from the game below which is the courtesy of Illinois Media Relations.
BATON ROUGE, La. – Illinois (6-1) used impressive pitching and ninth-inning dramatics to defeat No. 1 LSU, 3-1, at the Tigers’ brand-new Alex Box Stadium. With one on, two outs and the game tied 1-1 in the ninth, catcher Aaron Johnson wasted no time becoming the hero, launching a first-pitch slider into the video scoreboard above the wall in left center, which quieted the 10,246 sell-out crowd. The victory ended LSU’s (9-1) 25-game regular season winning streak and marks the first time Illinois has beaten a top-ranked team since a 7-4 win over then-No. 1 Miami on March 5, 1995.
“Our guys played with great composure and the pitching was outstanding,” head coach Dan Hartleb said. “We pitched very well when there were runners in scoring position and played great defensively. At the plate, we took advantage of some mistakes and got some big hits. It’s nice to jump in and win game one to put ourselves in position to win the series.”
Starter Phil Haig received a no-decision for his solid outing, shutting down a high-powered Tiger offense, which was averaging over 12 runs per game coming into tonight’s contest. The sophomore pitcher gave up only one run and scattered eight hits over seven innings, while inducing 12 groundball outs and four fly outs.
Freshman pitcher Corey Kimes (1-0) came on in relief and struck out the side in the eighth to pick up his first career victory in just his second-ever appearance. The Ottawa, Ill., native needed just 12 pitches to end the inning with ease.
With two on and one out in the bottom of the ninth, closer Nick Chmielewski struck out the final two Tiger batters to seal the victory and pick up his second save of the season. The final six outs recorded by the Illini were strikeouts.
“Phil, Corey and Nick were excellent tonight,” Hartleb said. “They kept their composure and did a great holding the runners to take away their running game.
“Aaron was also outstanding tonight. Besides throwing runners out and hitting the big homerun, he called a great game. He kept their hitters off balance, mixed pitches and used both sides of the plate well.”
Illinois jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first thanks to the left side of the Illini infield. With two outs, shortstop Brandon Wikoff walked and stole second to set the table for third baseman Dominic Altobelli. Altobelli sent a screaming line drive back up the middle, deflecting off Tiger starter Anthony Ranaudo to third baseman Derek Helenihi. Helenihi’s throw ended up in the dirt at first, which handcuffed the first baseman and allowed Wikoff to score.
LSU threatened in the third after back-to-back singles with one out. But with the runners in motion on a full count to Micah Gibbs, Haig struck out the Tiger catcher, while Johnson gunned down the runner at second to end the inning.
The Tigers went down in order in the fourth on three straight groundouts, but knotted the game at 1 apiece in the fifth on a first-pitch leadoff homerun by right fielder Nicholas Pontiff. After a double by Chris McGhee, Johnson caught his third base stealer of the night, nailing the Tigers’ designated hitter at third. A pop out and groundout out to second baseman Josh Parr ended the fifth.
Haig worked out of a jam in the sixth, keeping the score all-square. With one out and runners on second and third, Helenihi hit a chopper back to Haig. The sophomore southpaw threw it to Johnson, who tagged the runner as he retreated back to third. A diving play by Altobelli at third allowed the Illini to escape the inning unscathed.
Going into the ninth tied, 1-1, left fielder Casey McMurray reached on an error by the first baseman to start the inning and advanced to second on the sacrifice bunt by Wikoff before Johnson’s heroics capped off the win for the Illini.
“I told them it’s one game out of 56 games, so they have two hours to enjoy it and then we have to get mentally prepared for tomorrow,” Hartleb said.
Up Next: Illinois and LSU return to action on Saturday at 11 a.m. (CT) for the second game of the three-game series. Aaron Martin will toe the rubber for the Illini while the Tigers send Daniel Bradshaw to the hill.
