There’s good news and bad news. Well, the good news is the Illini are going to the Big Ten tournament and we have Indiana to thank for that. The Hoosiers swept the Michigan State Spartans in Friday’s doubleheader and thereby eliminating them from tournament qualification.
So on to Ann Arbor we go next week!
The Big Ten Network was on hand to broadcast the games.
The bad news is that Illinois isn’t playing like a tournament team at the moment. They were bowled over by the Purdue Boilermakers in both games of Friday’s doubleheader losing by the scores of 14-4 and 13-8. Adding insult to injury, we did this in front of the Big Ten Network audience.
Game Two’s battery, Aaron Johnson and Scott Shaw in happier times. Shaw would give up 11 runs before he was done.
The outcomes of both games seemed not to be question as Purdue scored early and often. Illinois did make a valiant effort in Game 2 to come back. Down 12-1 in the fifth inning, Illinois scored five runs in the bottom of the inning but Purdue’s lead proved to be too great.
The man in blue is all over this play and Kyle Hudson was called out stealing. Hud was 5 for 10 for the day with a stolen base.
Kyle Hudson garnered 5 hits in 10 at-bats for the two games as well as stealing base #38. He needs 3 more to break the team record. Ryan Hastings went 4 for 7 for the day with double and two rbis in Game 2.
One other positive note that you won’t see reflected in the box score is the defensive play by John Schlichter. He flashed some good leather several times during the day including a 5-2 play getting the runner out at the plate.
Ryan Hastings went 4 for 7 with a double for the day.
I always enjoy talking to and meeting the player’s parents in the stands. Brian Hastings, father of Ryan, and I chatted for a while, discussing our current pitching woes and the upcoming draft. He later introduced me to Casey McMurray’s father Kevin, talking up my website. Thanks for the plug, Brian.
I even met up with the opposition. In between games, I spoke with Bob Wolgamot whose son, Ben, is the secondbaseman for Purdue. Ben is from nearby Danville. Bob says several of the Purdue players play for the Danville Dans over the summer. I’m sure I’ll see Bob again as he plans to be up in Ann Arbor next week for the Tournament.
Saturday, the Illini have a chance to get back at Purdue and end the regular season in winning style. Game time for the doubleheader is 4pm at Illinois Field. The Big Ten Network will be broadcasting both games. Go Illini! Let’s show everyone what kind of team we really have!!
I was tuned in to Thursday’s game, which was rained out. Missed last night’s twin bill, which by coincidence, so did the ILLINI, as Purdue took it to them. Here’s hoping Illinois will have better luck Saturday, closing out the regular season on a winning note, heading into the tournament. LET’S GO ILLINI!!!