From Florida to Texas. This weekend, the Illini baseball team head down to Beaumont, Texas to participate in the YMBL Cardinal Classic. Our boys will be taking on the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the host Lamar Cardinals twice each (here are Lamar’s notes for the Classic).
The combined records of both teams so far this year is 5-0 so Illinois may have their work cut out for themselves. On the other hand, it may prove to add some extra motivation to give them that first loss of the season.
The official preview isn’t quite out yet so no word on starting assignments. I guess the big question is whether the coaching staff will give Nick Chmielewski another go. Chm only lasted 1/3 of an inning before John Kravetz came in and shut down St John’s.
Despite the loss on Saturday, I see no reason why Rob McConnell won’t get the ball again. He did a fine job striking out four batters and allowing just two runs in 5 plus innings.
We’ll see if I’m right.
Going into the second weekend, secondbaseman Reid Roper (right) has gotten a head start on the year. He’s hitting .400 (4 for 10) with a homer and double. Not only that, he’s driven in three runs and scored three. He’s done well in the cleanup spot of the lineup. It should be noted that he did a fine job too out of the bullpen. He pitched a perfect inning to finish Sunday’s win against St John’s, striking out two.
Davis Hendrickson comes in second on the team in batting with a .364 batting average (4 for 11).
Some info on Gonzaga and Lamar:
Gonzaga Bulldogs |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 24, 2012 | 12:00 noon ct | |||
| February 25, 2012 | 11:00 am ct | |||
| Vincent-Beck Stadium | Beaumont, TX | |||
| Program website link | 2012 Record | 3-0 | ||
| Head Coach: Mark Machtolf | Key player: | Marco Gonzalez | ||
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are off to a hot start in 2012 winning their first three games. They’re victims? The new Big Ten members University of Nebraska. The Cornhuskers kept it close each game with scores of 7-4, 10-8 and 5-4 but couldn’t get a win.
Infielder Marco Gonzalez is a hot one to watch. In the first three games of 2012, he’s already got six rbis.
Lamar Cardinals |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 25, 2012 | 2:30 pm ct | |||
| February 26 , 2012 | 11:00 am ct | |||
| Vincent-Beck Stadium | Beaumont, TX | |||
| Program website link | 2012 Record | 2-0 | ||
| Head Coach: | Jim Gilligan | Key player: | Darian Johnson | |
Like the Bulldogs, the Lamar Cardinals got off to a nice start this season. They won both of their games last weekend at their Lamar Classic. Unfortunately, two of their games at the Lamar Classic were rained out.
The Cardinals will have extra incentive to win this weekend, perhaps. Coach Jim Gilligan will be looking for career win 1,200. Hot hitting outfielder Darian Johnson starts out the season 5 for 9. Keep an eye out for him.
How to follow the games at the YMBL Cardinal Classic
No official word yet but I’m willing to bet that the Live Blog will be up and “live” for the games this weekend. You can access the Live Blog at the Fighting Illini Baseball page.
I haven’t found any audio steaming efforts for these games yet. If I do, I’ll post them here. As always, GameTracker will be crunching numbers.