The past few weeks have a been a bit of a roller coaster ride for Illinois baseball. Two weeks ago, Illinois was a ranked team and it seems like they couldn’t be beat. Then Iowa took them for three games. Illinois invited nationally ranked Coastal Carolina for two midweek games and showed them how they play baseball, beating them in both games.
This past weekend, Illinois (20-10, 1-5 Big Ten) was able to win one against the Maryland Terrapins (15-15, Big Ten 3-3). The series itself was a bit of a roller coaster. Game 1 was pitched brilliantly by Andy Fisher but had a very unexpected ending. Illinois was able to win the first game of the doubleheader but couldn’t take advantage of a rally in the nightcap.
Despite a 20-10 overall record, Illinois resides in 11th place in the Big Ten and is looking for some wins.
Friday: Maryland 4 Illinois 2
There no other way to put it… Friday’s game ended ugly. Two runs scored on a wild pitch in the top of ninth to seal the Terps’ victory.
The unfortunate thing is that the loss over-shadowed Andy Fisher’s tremendous performance. For eight innings, he was pretty much unstoppable. I don’t think I’ve seen a pitcher so dominant in the span of one game.
FightingIllini.com recap | Box Score | IBR Photos
Saturday Game 1: Illinois 5 Maryland 1
Illinois got back and boy, was it fun! Jacob Campbell drove home a run with a groundout rbi in the fifth then an inning later, hit a bomb over the left field fence. That ball must have hit one of the cars parked in the make-shift parking lot!
Campbell’s homer scored Grant Van Scoy who had quite a game himself. GVS collected three hits including a double and a triple.
After going so long without a win (and pitching so well), Ty Weber is now racking some well-deserved wins. He now has two in two weekends. Weber allowed just one run in 7 2/3 innings.
FightingIllini.com recap | Box Score | IBR Photos
Saturday Game 2: Maryland 8 Illinois 4
To carry the roller coaster analogy further, Game 2 on Saturday was a bit of a bumpy ride. The Terps scored four runs on Cyrillo Watson in the 3rd inning. The Illini put together a rally in the sixth inning thanks to some timely hitting and some Maryland miscues. That tied the game 4-4 and gave Illinois some motivation.
It just wasn’t meant to be as Maryland scored four more in the seventh.
FightingIllini.com recap | Box Score | IBR Photos
Random Ramblings
This weekend, there were two significant changes in the Illinois lineup… for the better, I think.
One, outfielder Zac Taylor has returned after being out due to injury. Taylor had been out for 16 games. Interesting stat: despite missing 16 games, Taylor still leads the Big Ten in stolen bases.
The other… Michael Massey has returned to the field, returning to his usual position of second base. Massey has played every game as the designated hitter until Saturday. Michael wasted no time in flashing his leather. IF Branden Comia has done well as second base spelling Massey in his absence. I’m sure we will see more of Branden.
Up next
Illinois goes a short road trip. On Tuesday, they play at Illinois State where the Redbirds will be looking for some revenge.
This weekend, Illinois travels north to Bloomington, Minnesota to take on the Golden Gophers. Despite an overall .448 winning percentage this year, Minnesota has gotten off to a 6-3 conference start.
Go Illini!