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Illinois left out in the cold in series finale

CHAMPAIGN — Bren Spillane is arguably the Big Ten's worst-kept secret now.

And Sunday's 4-2 home loss to Iowa taught 25th-ranked Illinois how conference opponents will likely pitch to Spillane the rest of the season.

Iowa had to have been sick of watching the Illini slugger smack the ball all over the yard.

Spillane, after all, ripped six hits in eight at-bats, including three home runs and five RBI, in two games against the Hawkeyes entering Sunday's rubber match at Illinois Field.

So on Sunday, Iowa avoided the right-handed Spillane's danger zone, walking him four times — one of which was an intentional free pass.