EDINBURG, Texas – The University of Illinois baseball team got its first win of the season on Sunday, scoring three runs in the ninth inning for a 6-3 victory over host Texas-Pan American.

The Illini opened the season with three losses against the Broncs.

Aaron Nieckula had the big hit for Illinois, driving in two runs in the ninth with a triple to center. Shawn Targgart drove in the other run with a suicide squeeze bunt.

Tim Lavery, who will battle for the UI's starting quarterback job this spring, pitched six innnings in his college debut. He allowed five hits and two runs. He struck out four and walked one.

Lavery was in position to get the victory, leading 3-2 when he went out. But in the top of the seventh, Texas-Pan American's Gabe De La Garza homered to right field. UI right fielder Danny Rhodes got his glove on the long drive but couldn't bring it in.

Tom Zidlicky, who took the loss in Illinois' opener on Friday, pitched 21/3 innings to even his record at 1-1. He didn't allow a hit and walked two.

Illinois opened the scoring in the second. Danny Rhodes singled with one out and stole second. One out later, Joe Sprengard walked. Sophomore second baseman Todd McClure drove in both Rhodes and Sprengard with a triple to right field.

Texas-Pan American tied the game with two runs in the third off Lavery. It could have been worse for the Illini, but Leo Salinas was thrown out at home by UI right fielder Danny Rhodes.

The Illini took a 3-2 lead in the sixth on McClure's sacrifice fly.

Dusty Rhodes and Nieckula each had two of Illinois' nine hits. The three Illini pitchers limited Texas-Pan American to seven hits.

The Illini next play at Alabama on Friday, the start of a three-game set with the Crimson Tide.