Today in Greenville, North Carolina, the Illini dropped their second game of the Keith LeClair Classic to the Western Carolina Catamounts by the score of 4-2. This brings Illinois’ record to 1-4 for the season and itchin’ for a win.
In the 2nd inning, Western Carolina accomplished something you don’t see everyday… a triple play.
Illinois 2nd – Dittman, M. walked (3-2 BFBBFB). McMurray, C. singled up the middle (2-1 BBK); Dittman, M. advanced to second. Cappetta, P. lined into triple play 3b to 1b (3-2 BBBKK); McMurray, C. out on the play; Dittman, M. out on the play. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Unlike the game against East Carolina, Illinois never had the lead, though it WAS close. WCU had a 3-0 lead by the end of the 4th and the good guys managed to close the gap a little thanks in part to a solo homer by Mike Giller (left) in the 4th.
Other than Giller, the offense was pretty quiet. Casey McMurray was 2 for 4 but the team didn’t manage to capitalize… no runs or rbis for Mac.
By the numbers |
|
|---|---|
| 26 | Total strikeouts by Illini batters in the last two games |
| 4 | Season total of rbis for Mike Giller (now leads the team) |
| 4-1 | Record in 2009 after 5 games |
Those four Catamount runs came off Starter Brian de le Torriente. Three of them were earned. Considering WCU got eight hits, it was lucky that de la Torriente kept them to four. Or perhaps it wasn’t luck. The fact that he didn’t walk a batter probably helped. In his two starts, he hasn’t given up any walks.
Illinois got good performances from the bullpen. Kevin Manson saw the ball for the first time this year and responded well. He pitched 2 1/3 innings of shutout ball. Coach Hartleb put Lee Zerrusen in to finish the game and he pitched a scoreless eighth.
Next up
The Illini play their last game of the Classic on Sunday bright and early at 9 am against the West Virginia Mountaineers. The Fighting Illini can take some heart that they have a 6-0 record against the Mountaineers.
Random Stuff
Coach Hartleb’s former recruit Seth Schwindenhammer (whose name I always have to copy and paste) was named in Bus Leagues Baseball’s The Best Names in Minor League Baseball. Schwindenhammer is now with the Red Sox organization.
I suggested to BLB that their list should include our own Joe Bonadonna (right) who is now with the Texas Rangers organization. His name just rolls off the tongue.
Go Illini!