CHAMPAIGN — Illinois lost its first game of the season on Feb. 28, dropping a 2-1 decision to Ball State after managing four hits off the Cardinals.
A day later, the Illini lost again — this time a 4-3 defeat to Kent State.
Forty-three wins and three months later, it took the defending College World Series champions to give Illinois another two-game losing streak. Vanderbilt outlasted Tyler Jay and the Illini for a 4-2 victory and a return trip to Omaha.
“I think we saw exactly the type of team Illinois is and was,” Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin said.