Illinois baseball secured their third consecutive Big Ten series win on Sunday at Lubrano Park in Happy Valley.
The Illini improved to 14-12 overall, and 6-6 in the Big Ten, while Penn State fell to 8-18 overall and 3-6 in the conference. After losing three in a row, Illinois got back on the right track with wins on Saturday and Sunday.
Friday, March 27: Penn State 9, Illinois 8
Behind four stolen bases and some timely hitting, the Orange and Blue jumped out to a commanding 6-0 lead in the 2nd inning on Friday night.
However, Penn State mounted a massive comeback, scoring five in the fifth to tie the game at 7-7 and adding single tallies in the sixth and eighth. Michael Anderson's leadoff homer in the eighth proved to be the difference.
Collin Jennings led the way with a 3-for-4 night, including a solo homer and four RBI. Nick Groves scored three runs, and Jack Zebig added two RBI of his own. It still wasn't enough for Illinois as they dropped the series opener and their third game in a row.
Illinois starter Mitch Dye tossed 4.1 innings, allowing five runs on five hits. Reliever Kyle Remmington took the loss while Penn State's Kyle Emmons earned the win with 3.2 scoreless innings in relief.
Saturday, March 28: Illinois 16, Penn State 5
The Illini offense erupted for a series-high 16 runs on 11 hits, pounding out four runs in the first, five in the fourth, and five more in the sixth, leaving no doubt this time around. It's the first time they've hit double-digit runs in a conference game this year, and their most runs since March 10.
Kyle Schupmann went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, and four RBI. Jennings added a grand slam, while Will Johannes chipped in a pair of doubles and also collected four RBI. The game ended after seven innings
Regan Hall (4-2) earned the win on Saturday. He did allow 11 hits, but buckled down when it mattered, striking out eight Nittany Lions over five innings of work. Ben Hudson (1-5) took the loss for Penn State after surrendering six runs in three innings.
Sunday, March 29th: Illinois 6, Penn State 0
Illinois' pitching staff delivered a three-hit shutout, the team's second of the season and first in Big Ten play since April 2025. Aidan Flinn threw four scoreless innings, and Reed Gannon followed that up with five innings of one-hit ball to earn the win (2-1).
Offensively, J.R. Nelson went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a double. Johannes added two hits and an RBI. Nick Groves drove in a run and extended his on-base streak to an astounding 38 games.
The series win keeps Illinois' momentum rolling in Big Ten play. The Illini now turn to a rare midweek road test at Illinois State on Tuesday, looking to avenge a bad loss there last season. They will continue their Big Ten season on the road for the second weekend in a row at Purdue.