Illini Ignite to Stave off Islanders

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Opening the 2017 Kleberg Bank College Classic, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi bats piled up 14 runs, but it was not enough as Illinois ignited for 15 runs on 17 hits to outgun the Islanders Friday night at Whataburger Field.
 
In the highest scoring game in Kleberg Bank College Classic history, the Islanders used a furious ninth-inning rally to put the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. The Blue and Green scored three times to close the gap, but ultimately fell a hit shy for a second straight night.
 
Four Islanders (1-4) recorded three RBI on the night as the bats stayed red-hot. Nick Anderson paced Corpus Christi with a 3-for-3 night, three runs driven in and another three walks. Jackson Owens finished 3-for-5 with three RBI as well. He also crushed his second home run of the season, a two-run blast in the eighth.
 
Nkosi Djehuti-Mes homered as well for the Islanders, driving in three with an opposite field shot. Dalton Stark rounded out the Islanders with a trio of RBI, finishing 1-for-4 with a sac fly.
 
Despite the offensive firepower, the Islanders could not overcome Illinois' own offensive showcase as the Illini racked up 17 hits in the win. Korey Rasure (0-1) took the loss for the Blue and Green allowing six runs in 4 1/3 innings. The left-hander allowed five hits but also issued three walks and hit another two batters.
 
The Blue and Green also struggled out of the bullpen as five relievers combined to hang just one zero on the board after the fourth inning.
 
"I don't think we played great baseball tonight," said head coach Scott Malone. "I thought the hitters did everything they could to keep us in it.  We didn't pitch well enough to win. We only put up four zeroes in nine innings. I thought Illinois killed us in the bottom of their lineup, their 7-8-9 guys went 9-for-14. That's hard to do and that's probably the story of the game. We have to pitch better."
 
 
IMPACT INNINGS
 
TOP 3
>> A walk, hit batsman and infield single plated a run and set Illinois up for a 5-run frame.
>> Pat McInerney provided the big blow with a 3-run double down the left field line.
 
BOTTOM 5
>> The Islanders rallied to within one thanks to a 4-run inning.
>> Corpus Christi opened the inning with three straight walks to load the bases.
>> Nick Anderson provided a 2-run single while Jackson Owens legged out an infield knock to drive in another.
 
TOP 6
>> Illinois responded with four runs itself on four hits in the top of the sixth.
>> Two runs were pushed across on bases loaded walks.
 
TOP 7
>> Illinois tacked on three insurance runs on three hits.
>> Michael Massey doubled home a run for his third RBI of the night.
 
BOTTOM 9
>> Scott Balfantz started the Islanders rally with a leadoff single as the Blue and Green scored three times to pull within one.
>> Cullen Jozwiak picked up his fourth hit, an RBI single in the frame.
>> Dalton Stark drove home his third run of the night with a sac fly to make it a 15-14 game.
 
SATURDAY SLATE
 
The Islanders meet Mizzou for the second time in three days on Saturday evening. First pitch with the Tigers is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Whataburger Field.