The Champaign Room · May 11, 2019
Illinois walks off in the 12th inning vs. Purdue
FightingIllini.comCHAMPAIGN, Ill. — For Illinois to host regionals, it can’t lose.
Friday night, the Illini refused to.
“We did a good job of finding a way to win,” said Head Coach Dan Hartleb. “Our guys battled and found a way.”
What began as a pitcher’s duel between Illinois ace Andy Fisher and Purdue ace Trent Johnson turned into an extra-inning showdown. The starters went seven innings giving up just one run each but both left the game up to the bullpen that carried the series opener into extra innings.
It took a 12th inning three-run homer from senior leader Zac Taylor to finally overcome the Boilermakers and win 5-2 at Illinois Field.