For a recap of Friday's game, click here

CHAMPAIGN — The last time Thomas Shelton had a hit, the Illinois baseball team was still in the snowbird portion of its 2011 schedule.

It came on March 5 as the Illini migrated to Florida in search of warmer temperatures. Since then, Shelton had been on his own search — for the hit that would end what eventually grew to an 0-for-8 slump compiled mostly as a pinch hitter.

That elusive hit finally arrived Friday night, and it couldn't have happened at a better time for Illinois.

With Iowa leading 3-2 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, the redshirt sophomore came off the bench and delivered a two-out single to tie the score. No. 9 hitter Davis Hendrickson followed with another single to drive in Shelton with the go-ahead run that carried the comeback Illini to a 4-3 Big Ten victory at Illinois Field.

Not bad for a guy who entered with two hits and an .095 batting average this season.

"It's been a while," said a grinning Shelton, trying to recall his last hit. "It's been too long, so it was just great to have that happen."

With hard-throwing right-handed reliever Patrick Lala on the mound for Iowa, Illini coach Dan Hartleb played the percentages and sent the left-handed hitting Shelton to the plate. After working the count to 2-2, Shelton lashed a single to left.

"The guy was bringin' it pretty good," Shelton said. "I just took the approach of shorten up, try and use my hands, and get the bat on the ball."

When the throw from the outfield went to the plate in an attempt to retire Matt Dittman, who scored from second base, Shelton advanced to second. Hendrickson then rapped his third hit of the game to cap the series-opening comeback by Illinois (10-14, 2-2 Big Ten).

"It was great for the team to come back in that inning and make some things happen," Shelton said after the Illini snapped a four-game losing streak. "Hopefully this will get us on a roll."

Iowa (11-16, 1-3 Big Ten) was the seventh victim of an Illinois comeback victory this season.

"We've been through so many ups and downs ... and the guys, they just don't give in regardless of what the adversity is," Hartleb said. "Guys still stayed focused (tonight), came out and did a good job. Got the big hits late."