CHAMPAIGN — On a fair March day with temperatures in the 60s, the wind was blowing out at Illinois Field on Sunday.
And baseballs were flying out of the park.
Michigan State launched eight home runs — five in the first two innings — as the Spartans pounded Illinois 17-6 to complete the weekend sweep. The Illini were outscored 41-11 in the three-game span.
For the Illini (6-15, 0-3 Big Ten), Pat McInerney and Dan Rowbottom tallied home runs of their own, but it wasn’t enough.
Starter Luke Shilling lasted four innings, allowing nine runs on seven hits while striking out four.