Illinois gets some pitching… but lose to SIU

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Brandon Wikoff laying down a bunt

College baseball is a strange beast.  After a weekend against a Big Ten rival where we score 49 runs and give up 43 runs, they take on Southern Illinois and pitch their hearts out.  After a rough 3 innings giving up two runs, Illinois relievers were stingy and allowed only 2 hits and no earned runs for eight innings in an extra innings affair.  Alas, the one unearned run that was given up was the game breaker.  Southern Illinois went away winners 3-2.

Mike Sterk, who gave up one hit and just the one unearned run in two innings, was the hard luck loser.

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Tuesday’s Starter Nick Chmielewski

There was controversy from the very start when the second SIU batter was awarded first base after being hit.  A lot of us didn’t see it including Coach Hartleb.  He came out and discussed it with the ump.  The batter was called back and showed his the part of his batting glove where he says it hit him.  The ump was satisfied so play continued.

Joe Bonadonna and Aaron Johnson continue their hot streaks.  Both had two hits for the night.

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Dom Altobelli and Kyle Hudson are both nursing injuries

Kyle Hudson pulled a fast one on us.  He wasn’t suited up for pre-game wearing sweats so I didn’t expect him to play and instead to rest that ankle.  Somewhere around the second or third inning, I saw him return the dugout with regulation pants (still wearing the sweatshirt so I wasn’t sure).  Sure enough, Hudson came on to pinch hit for John Schlichter in the bottom of the 11th.  Unfortunately for us, he struck out.

It was my pleasure to finally meet (in person) Eric Loy.  I stopped by the media booth before the game and introduced myself.  I am occasionally a guest on his Sports Nite show on Fridays on WDWS 1400AM.

More photos are here.

This weekend:  Northwestern at home.  Come out to the ballpark!

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