'Cats Drop Series Opener to Illini, 5-3

Friday, April 19

Champaign, Ill.

6 p.m. CT

Northwestern

12-21, 0

Illinois

21-13, 0

Northwestern

Illinois

'Cats Drop Series Opener to Illini, 5-3

4/19/2024 9:38:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Northwestern dropped a tight contest 5-3 to Illinois on Friday night in the series opener at Illinois Field.

The Wildcats (12-21, 2-8 Big Ten) got on the board early, courtesy of a two-run home run by Owen McElfatrick, the second batter of the game, to take a 2-0 lead.

OMAC JACK! ?? pic.twitter.com/FT84jnfr0j
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) April 19, 2024

Illinois (21-13, 8-2 Big Ten) responded with a solo shot to right field by Jacob Schroeder in the bottom of the second inning to cut the Wildcat lead in half. The Fighting Illini tied the game at two apiece on an RBI single by Camden Janik in the bottom of the third. Illinois used three runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 5-2 lead.

Griffin Arnone plated Griffin Mills with an RBI double in the top of the fifth inning to trim the Illini lead to 5-3.

NU put a baserunner on in the sixth and seventh innings, loaded the bases in the eighth, and put a baserunner on in the ninth, but was unable to push any runs across.

Matt McClure (2-3) is credited with the loss, allowing three runs on seven hits, striking out a pair.

Jack Crowder (3-1) earned the win for the Illini, surrendering three runs, two earned, on four hits, striking out seven.

Joe Glassey earned the save, tossing a scoreless ninth inning, striking out one and allowing zero hits en route to his third save of the season.

Game Notes

Northwestern pitching did not issue a walk, its fourth game this season without issuing a base on balls.
- Three of the four occurrences have been games started by Nolan Morr.
Owen McElfatrick's first inning home run marked his fifth of the season and ninth of his career.

Game Two of the series is set for Saturday, April 20 at 4 p.m. CT on B1G+.