CLEMSON,SC (May 26, 2000) -- Big Ten Champion Illinois scored two runs in the top of the ninth to defeat the Monarchs of Old Dominion University, 3-1 in the first round of the NCAA Baseball Regional at Clemson, SC. The Monarchs (33-23-1) will play Middle Tennessee State Saturday morning at 11 am. Illinois (41-21) will play Clemson at 3 p.m.

The Monarchs behind the strong pitching of Shawn Weaver (9-5) took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Travis Silver (Weaverville, NC.) singled home Jason Greiner (Wexford, Pa.).

The score stayed that way until the eighth when Brady Ballard singled home Chris Basak with two outs and tie the game at one.

In the ninth, Craig Marquie singled and Luke Simmons walked. With one out D.J. Svihlik singled home Maruie, then scored on a squeeze bunt by Jeff Gertz.

The winning pitcher, Jason Anderson(14-3), the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year fanned seven and pitched himself out of a jam in the eighth when the Monarchs had Jared Musolf (Lakehurst, NJ.) on second with no outs.

Should the Monarchs win the morning game, they will play the loser of the 3 p.m. game at 7:00 Saturday night.

Illinois  000 000 012 -3-8-1
ODU       010 000 000 -1-7-3