Illinois was better in every phase across the full weekend series at Pete Taylor Park.

It started on the mound. The shiny 0.50 team ERA after 4 games wasn’t sustainable and was slashed to pieces by a quality Illinois lineup.

Tanner Hall was far from his best – surrendering 5 ER, 6 H, and just 4 strikeouts in 5 innings of work. The strike zone wasn’t favorable all weekend, but Hall was never able to show his typical control to get opposing bats off balance.

On Saturday and Sunday, both Matt Adams and Niko Mazza settled in after early trouble to give Christian Ostrander “good enough” starts. Adams walked four on Saturday and left the game with a 3 ER, 3 H, and 5 strikeout line after 4 innings complete.

After loading the bases with two outs and giving up a two-RBI single, Mazza likely had the best outing of the three starters for Scott Berry. The sophomore threw 105 total pitches, easily his highest mark as a Golden Eagle, and didn’t allow another run while scattering 3 more base hits in 4.2 total innings.

Behind the starting rotation, the bullpen didn’t offer much support. The pitching relief allowed 25 of the 35 total runs scored by Illinois across three games.

There was a general inability to throw strikes as the staff walked 23 batters and hit five for 28 free passes. Against good lineups, that will never get it done. As the Golden Eagle arms attempted to reestablish the zone, Illini hitters took advantage by scorching anything over the plate.

Many of the arms that looked strong in their debuts last week were roughed up all weekend. Though some bumps in the road with a green pitching staff is certainly to be expected.

The bright spots included 4 innings of shutout relief from Luke Trahan on Sunday – who gave up just one base hit while striking out 5 Illinois batters. Billy Oldham was lifted after one inning of work on Saturday but offered 5 innings of hitless pitching in his start against UNO. Nick Monistere also impressed in two relief innings (one vs. UNO, one vs. Illinois) – striking out 3 and only giving up one base hit.

The poor pitching was exacerbated by a less-than-ideal weekend for the offense. 48 runners were left on base in total across three games and many of the veteran bats simply weren’t good enough in the top half of the Golden Eagle lineup.

The going only gets tougher this week with a Tuesday night affair against Mississippi State and a weekend series against Dallas Baptist. The mettle of this group will continue to be tested earlier than in years past in a challenging non-conference slate.

First pitch is set for 6 o’clock on Tuesday at Trustmark Park in Pearl against the Bulldogs. The game will not be televised.