Illinois Baseball Report

The newly renovated home of the Michigan Wolverine baseball team with the complicated name of “The Wilpon Baseball Complex home of Ray Fisher Stadium”.  Too much like Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  Anyway, it IS nice. Joe Blackburn has once again gotten a mohawk like last year. Speaking of hair and ballplayers, it looks like [...]

Filed under: 2008 Big Ten Baseball Tournament on May 21st, 2008 | Leave a Comment! »

That is a smile of a proud father.  Russell Bonadonna (above) is holding the homerun ball hit by his son, Joe during Wednesday’s action at the Big Ten Tournament.  Bonadonna’s homer proved to be the game-winner in the win against Ohio State in the first round of the tournament.  Illinois won 3-2. Tied 2-2, Bonadonna [...]

Filed under: 2008 Big Ten Baseball Tournament on May 21st, 2008 | 1 Comment »

Yesterday, the Big Ten announced their individual award winners.  With the Illini’s offense, it was no surprise that they were heavily represented with five honorees. Kyle Hudson OF First Team All-Big Ten Leading the pack is Kyle Hudson who was named First Team All Big Ten.  Hud was second in the conference in hitting with [...]

Filed under: Awards on May 20th, 2008 | Leave a Comment! »

I just rolled into Ann Arbor this evening on the aptly named “Wolverine” Amtrak line.  I’m staying at the Lamp Post Inn.  It’s a budget motel but it has the important amenity I need.  Wireless access. When I told the motel owner my reason for being here he told me knew a few of Michigan [...]

Filed under: 2008 Big Ten Baseball Tournament on May 20th, 2008 | 1 Comment »

Phil Haig was lights out on Saturday On Saturday, Phil Haig was all business as he threw a two-hit shutout against the Purdue Boilermakers as Illinois won 2-0. The day before, Purdue scored 27 runs in the doubleheader.  That same team was stymied by the freshman Haig who struck out three and walked two in [...]

Filed under: Game Recaps on May 20th, 2008 | Leave a Comment! »

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 [...]

Filed under: Game Recaps on May 17th, 2008 | 1 Comment »

Once again the weather prevails.  For the 15th time this season, a game has been affected by weather.  Thursday’s game between Illinois and Purdue has been postponed. The game will be made up during the course of the weekend.  Friday’s doubleheader will start an hour earlier at 3pp and there will be an extra game [...]

Filed under: Game Previews on May 15th, 2008 | Leave a Comment! »

Next Game: Games #50-53 Thur May 15 6:05pm Fri May 16 3:00 (DH) Sat May 17 4:00pm (DH) Record: 29-20 Big Ten 15-12 vs Purdue at Illinois Field Champaign, IL Ok, Illini Fans, this is it.  Our magic number is down to two.  The Purdue Boilermakers are coming to town and the Illini need all [...]

Filed under: Game Previews on May 14th, 2008 | 1 Comment »

No game on Sunday between Illinois and Ohio State.  Rain washed away any chance of the Illini to tie Ohio State for the weekend.  As frustrating as that probably is, Ohio State had the momentum after their amazing comeback in Game 2 on Saturday (they scored 10 runs in the bottom of the fifth after [...]

Filed under: Analysis on May 12th, 2008 | Leave a Comment! »

On Saturday, Illinois and Ohio State completed their Friday contest that was suspended by rain.  Illinois won easily with both teams scoring two additional runs.  Final Score 9-4 Illinois. The win goes to Kevin Manson which makes him 7-1 on the season.  Mike Sterk got his third save of the year. Once things got on [...]

Filed under: Game Recaps on May 11th, 2008 | Leave a Comment! »