Elliott's Big Bat Helps Lift Michigan to Win over Illinois

Saturday, March 20

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

8-2, 8-2

Illinois

5-5, 5-5

Illinois

Michigan

Clark Elliott (Michigan Photography)

Elliott's Big Bat Helps Lift Michigan to Win over Illinois

3/20/2021 4:14:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Kurt Svoboda

» Clark Elliott became the third U-M player to hit a grand slam this season with his first-inning blast. He added a solo home run in the eighth inning.
» Christian Molfetta was 4-for-4.
» Cameron Weston struck out five and did not walk a batter in eight innings of work.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Complex)
Score: #22 Michigan 8, Illinois 1
Records: U-M (8-2, 8-2 B1G), ILL (5-5, 5-5 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, March 21 -- vs. Michigan State (Wilpon Complex), 4 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Clark Elliott smacked two homers -- one a first-inning grand slam -- and drove in five runs, while sophomore right-hander pitcher Cameron Weston threw eight impressive innings to lead the No. 22-ranked University of Michigan baseball team to an 8-1 win over Illinois on Saturday (March 20) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium.

Elliott provided an early lead as the sophomore right fielder connected on a 2-2 fastball with the bases loaded and drove it high over the wall down the right-field line to give the Wolverines a 4-0 advantage. Elliott became the third Michigan player to hit a grand slam this season. He also added a solo home run in the eighth inning.

Michigan starter Weston retired the first 10 batters of the game before Danny Doligale laid down a bunt single and came around on a double to the gap by Ryan Hampe to get Illlinois on the board and cut the U-M lead to 4-1.

The score stayed 4-1 into the bottom of the sixth inning, when the Wolverines added a run. Christian Molfetta singled to lead off and was followed by a double from Benjamin Sems. With one out, Christan Bullock fought off a series of tough pitches before rolling an RBI fielder's choice to first for a 5-1 lead.

Michigan blew the game open in the eighth with Elliott launching another homer to right, Sems delivering Molfetta (bunt single) with a double to left field and then scoring on a wild pitch to make it 8-1.

Weston (2-1) was spectacular in earning the win. The sophomore righty went eight innings, allowing just four hits and no walks while striking out five before giving way to Isaiah Paige to finish the ninth inning.

Molfetta had a great day at the plate, batting 4-for-4 and scoring two runs. Elliott and Sems had two hits apiece.

Michigan will continue its homestand Sunday (March 21) with a 4 p.m. game against Michigan State at the Wilpon Complex. The contest will be streamed live on Big Ten Network Plus.