Hartleb Records 500th Career Win as Illini Complete Doubleheader Sweep over Miami (OH)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Fighting Illini baseball head coach Dan Hartleb recorded his 500th career win with a 2-0 win over Miami (OH) in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader. Illinois swept the Saturday doubleheader, winning the second game to clinch the series over Miami, 5-1.
Illinois is now 25-19 (12-6 B1G) while Miami moves to 19-28 (14-18 MAC). The two teams will play the final game of the series at Illinois Field Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.
GAME ONE (Illinois 2, Miami 0)
Illinois and Miami combined for just two runs on 12 hits in the low-scoring first game of the afternoon. Cole Kirschsieper was dominant on the mound for the Illini, throwing seven shutout innings while allowing five hits and no runs.
Kellen Sarver drove in the only two runs of the game with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning. Ty Rybarczyk came in out of the bullpen, throwing two scoreless innings without allowing a hit to earn his third save of the season.
Kirschsieper is credited with the win, moving to 6-2 on the season while Miami’s Spinozzi (1-3) takes the loss.
GAME TWO (Illinois 5, Miami 1)
Game two was another pitchers’ duel through the first seven innings as the Illini earned the doubleheader sweep and clinched the series win. The Illini pitching was outstanding once again in game two as Illini RHP Riley Gowens threw seven innings, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out seven.
Illinois took a 2-1 lead into the eighth inning before putting up three runs in the home half of the eighth to take a 5-1 lead into the final frame.
Justin Janas and Kellen Sarver drove in the two Illini runs while Branden Comia, Jacob Campbell, and Ryan Hampe each added two hits apiece. Janas went a combined 4-for-6 with an RBI and two runs scored in the two games. Gowens picked up the win in game two, moving to 5-2 on the season.
NOTES
• Cam McDonald has reached base in every game this season. He is on a 55-game on base streak dating back to 5/8/21, five away from tying Ben Troike’s Illinois record of 57.
• Justin Janas is now tied for the B1G lead in hit by pitches (23).
• Head coach Dan Hartleb recorded his 500th career win with the game one win.
• The Illinois pitching staff allowed just one run in 18 innings.
• Illinois pitching staff combined for the second shutout of the season in game one.
• The 2-0 score in game one was the lowest combined score of the season.
• Game one was the fastest game of the season at 2:16.
