Team Illinois scores early and often to take down Minnesota 10-5 to open up pool play.

Illinois initially got on the board in the top of the first inning thanks to a bases-loaded walk to Anderson Kaufmann (Alton, 2028), plating Carver Cohn (McHenry, 2028) who led off the game with a walk. Jack Bullington (Marist, 2028) would follow up right away with a bases-loaded walk of his own, scoring Kameron Cox (Montini, 2028) who reached base via a hit-by-pitch to make it 2-0 at the time. Peter Pignatiello (Benet, 2028) immediately delivered with a sac fly, plating Weston Wyzukovic (Libertyville, 2028) to make it 3-0 with two outs. Alex Govoni (Loyola, 2028) quickly followed with an RBI single to plate Kaufmann, and Bullington scored not long after on a passed ball to give Illinois a commanding 5-0 lead. 

In the top of the fifth inning, Cohn blistered a ball to the left-center gap and came around to score for an in-the-park home run, also plating Jack Postma (Barrington, 2028) who singled and Jack McNamara (Brother Rice, 2028) who reached via an error, making it 10-5 to put the game out of reach. 

OF Carver Cohn (McHenry, 2028) takes one over the centerfielder’s head for an inside the park home run.👇

5-foot-8, 155-pounds. #PBJFG24 pic.twitter.com/cECHn8aPXO

— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) July 25, 2024

Illinois added a run in both the third and fourth innings thanks to an RBI single from Kaufmann and fielder’s choice from Ryan Pipkins (Champaign Central, 2028).

McNamara got the starting nod for Illinois on the bump and fired three strong innings to keep the Minnesota bats at-bay. James Sobkowiak (Downers Grove South, 2028) came out firing from the ‘pen, striking out three over his two innings of work to help seal the victory.

Illinois will continue pool play Friday at 5:00 PM against Team Arizona. 

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