CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Interstat) — Will Johannes launched a solo home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift Illinois to a 4-3 victory over Northwestern on Saturday evening at Illinois Field.

The Fighting Illini improved to 25-23 overall and snapped a two-game losing streak. The Wildcats fell to 20-27-1.

Johannes, the Illinois catcher, finished 3-for-4 with a double and the decisive homer. His ninth-inning blast came against Northwestern reliever Jake Rifenburg, who had entered after starter Matt Kouser threw six innings.

Illinois starter Aidan Flinn was the top performer, tossing five scoreless innings while allowing one hit and striking out five. He exited with the game tied 3-3.

Northwestern third baseman Owen McElfatrick drove in two runs, including a solo home run in the sixth inning that gave the Wildcats a 3-2 lead. He went 2-for-4.

The game featured three lead changes after a 1-1 tie in the first inning. Illinois struck first in the bottom of the first when Jack Zebig doubled and scored on a double by AJ Putty.

Northwestern answered in the second on a McElfatrick RBI single that scored a runner who had reached on a hit by pitch and a walk.

The Fighting Illini regained the lead in the bottom of the second. After a single by D Contreras and a single by Johannes, JR Nelson doubled to drive in Contreras. Nelson advanced to third on the throw and scored on a sacrifice fly by N Groves to make it 3-1.

Northwestern tied the game in the top of the sixth when McElfatrick homered to right-center off Illinois reliever Mitch Dye. The Wildcats took a 4-3 lead in the top of the eighth on a two-run single by McElfatrick that scored a pinch runner who had walked and advanced on a wild pitch.

Illinois tied it again in the bottom of the eighth after a walk, a fielder’s choice and a walk loaded the bases, but the inning ended on a flyout.

In the ninth, Johannes led off and hit a 1-0 pitch over the right-field wall to end the game.

Illinois reliever Reed Gannon pitched the top of the ninth and allowed two hits and an unearned run but got the win. He struck out one.

Northwestern had six hits, including a double by Slater in the ninth. Illinois had nine hits.

The two teams are scheduled to play the series finale Sunday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Northwestern 6, Illinois 4, while Interstat’s ELO system gave Illinois a 73.10 percent probability to win.