Seven-Run Inning Lifts Illinois to Series Win over Southern Miss 9-4

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Illinois got eight consecutive hits, six for extra bases, to open the sixth inning and scored seven times to lift the Fighting Illini to a 9-4 series victory over No. 15 Southern Miss Sunday afternoon at Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field.

The Golden Eagles fell to 5-2 on the campaign, while Illinois improved to 4-3 on the season.

The visitors jumped out in front in the first with a pair of runs. After Golden Eagle starter Niko Mazza fanned the game's opening two batters, Illinois posted a single followed pair of walks to load the bases. Ryan Moerman, who led the Fighting Illini with three of their 13 hits, singled in two runs to open the scoring.

Illinois then put the game out of reach with their seven-run inning, which was the most runs surrendered by Southern Miss in a stanza this season.

After Cal Hejza began the frame with a double, the next four Illinois drove in a run with a hit. Moerman then singled before the scoring barrage ended on a run-scoring double and a sacrifice fly.

Down 9-0, the Golden Eagles cut into the gap with a three-run home run by Danny Lynch in the sixth, his first of the year and added its final run on a wild pitch one inning later.

The two teams combined to strand 25 runners on base and Southern Miss left 14, including at least one in every inning.

Mazza, who gave up two runs on five hits over 4 2/3 innings while fanned seven with four walks, suffered the loss and fell to 1-1.

Illinois starter Jack Wenninger gave up three runs on five hits over 5 2/3 with four strikeouts and three walks to improve to 2-0.

The Golden Eagles return to action Tuesday evening when they play Mississippi State at Trustmark Park. Game time is set for 6 p.m.

Seven-Run Inning Lifts Illinois to Series Win over Southern Miss 9-4

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Team Stats

Matthew Etzel

Dustin Dickerson

Carson Paetow

Reece Ewing

Players Mentioned

Danny Lynch

Niko Mazza

Players Mentioned

Danny Lynch

Niko Mazza