MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois baseball team fell to in-state foe the University of Illinois on Tuesday night 12-1. WIU drops to 8-28 overall on the season.

The bats stayed quiet for Western Illinois, as they could only compile four hits as a team. Kyle Rosenfeld kept Western Illinois in the game from a defensive side. The senior had a strikeout in the first inning and found a double play ball in the second to start the day with scoreless innings. Illinois got on the board in the third with a solo home run as they held a 1-0 lead.

Cesar Franco kept his extra-base streak alive with a double to lead off the Leatherneck's second inning. Unfortunately, WIU could not move further then second base. Illinois broke the game open in the fifth inning with a seven-spot, going ahead 8-0. The Illini added four runs in the sixth, pushing their lead to 12-0.

Western Illinois scored their lone run in the final at-bats. This was the fourth game in a row that saw the Leathernecks score in the ninth inning. Trevor Leon had a one-out single, and Brock Lummus advanced him by reaching on an error by Illinois second basemen. Justin Jang wore a pitch off the shoulder, loading the bases for WIU. Max Slavens drove in the RBI with a ground out to first base.

Adam Juran, Cesar Franco, Trevor Leon, and Brock Lummus combined for the four hits for Western Illinois. Franco had the only extra-base hit with his double in the second. Western Illinois pitching staff struck out seven Illini hitters. Kyle Rosenfeld started the night with two, and he was followed by one by Jackson Rodgers and two by Kyle Anderson and Cole Dale.

Western Illinois returns to action this weekend as they head to Lindenwood for a crucial OVC series.