Illinois opened Big Ten play this weekend at Northwestern in Evanston with some early damage from junior first baseman Bren Spillane. Spillane, coming off an eight-RBI performance versus Cal State-Northridge, hit a solo homer in the second inning, his ninth of the season, and was followed by a solo shot from second baseman Michael Massey.
The Wildcats got a run back in the bottom of the inning, but an RBI-fielder’s choice from junior outfielder Jack Yalowitz in the following frame put Illinois up 3-1 after three.
Junior pitcher Quinn Snarskis (3-0) was lights out on the mound, going seven full innings and giving up only one earned run, three hits and striking three at the plate.