March 24, 2002

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Brett Wicker's RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning gave Illinois a 2-1 win over UWM Sunday afternoon.

Wicker's single off reliever Matt Freisleben (1-2) scored Luke Simmons with the game-winning run after Simmons had started the eighth with a double.

The Panthers (4-7) had grabbed a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by John Vanden Berg in the first. Illiois tied the game in the fourth off starter Aaron Bushong. Bushong lasted into the seventh inning allowing just four hits. Illinois starter Andy Dickinson (4-0) went the distance for the Illini (10-1), allowing just five hits.

UWM's best chance to reclaim the lead in the late innings came in the seventh. The first two Panther batters reached base and advanced into scoring position on a passed ball with one out. But, Dickinson struck out Dave Pudlosky and Dan Kardelis to end the threat.

The second game of the scheduled doubleheader was cancelled due to poor weather. The Panthers had been scheduled to play single games at Illinois Saturday and Sunday, but officials at Illinois rescheduled the contests into a pair of seven-inning games Sunday because of poor field conditions.

UWM returns to action Wednesday afternoon at Northern Iowa.