CHAMPAIGN — El Paso-Gridley High School graduate Nathan Lavender picked up his first collegiate victory Sunday as the University of Illinois baseball team completed a three-game weekend sweep of Illinois State with a 12-1 win at Illinois Field.
Lavender, a freshman left-hander, started and pitched four shutout innings before leaving because of a predetermined pitch count limit. He allowed two hits, struck out four and walked four while improving to 1-1.
Lavender worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning with two strikeouts. The Illini offense took it from there, amassing 16 hits against seven ISU pitchers.