CHAMPAIGN — Maybe Illinois paid too much attention to Valparaiso's poor record. Perhaps the Illini got caught up by the name on the front of the visitors' jerseys.
Illinois coach Dan Hartleb admitted to as much afterward. Regardless, the Crusaders, who were eight games under .500 entering Tuesday's midweek tilt at Illinois Field, handed No. 25 Illinois a piece of humble pie, as Valparaiso secured an 11-7 victory over Hartleb's team.
"We got outplayed tonight," Hartleb said. "You look at our pitching; it was bad. It was terrible really. We didn't play very hard. We didn't deserve to win.