Josh Parr and Casey McMurray combined for 8 rbis at the Big East/Big Ten Challenge

Tournament play has that added competitive tension but this weekend, Illinois (1-2) gets to play an honest-to-goodness three game series.  This weekend’s opponent is Florida Gulf Coast University (2-2) and they’ll be playing in warm Ft Myers, Florida.  I’m sure the guys will appreciate the continuity of playing the same team at the same ballpark for the whole weekend as much as they will they’ll appreciate the nice weather.

In 2010, FGCU had a successful year going 38-20 but more importantly, they were 25-5 in their Atlantic Sun conference.  A few wins against this team would do wonders for Illinois’ RPI, I would presume.

Look out for firstbaseman Zach Maxfield.  Last year, he was second on the team in hitting, homeruns and rbis.  This year, he’s hot out of the gate already hitting .412 in FGCU’s first four game. 

This team can beaten though.  So far they are 2-2 with a four game series split against Central Michigan.  Two of those games went into extras so they may be looking for a few low-stress games. 

Random Ramblings

I ran across this Telegraph-Journal article on pitcher Jay Johnson who has made Spring Training with the Seattle Mariners team.  Jay’s brother is former Illini catcher Aaron Johnson. 

Illinois is already staking their claim as the Big Ten team with the legs.  Of the 30 bases stolen by Big Ten runners, nine belong to Illini base runners, tops in the conference.  We’re doing ok on the other end, too.  Illini catcher Adam Davis has thrown out  two of three attempted steals. 

Good luck this weekend, Illini!!

Indiana never had the huge inning… no more than than three runs in a frame.  Also, Illinois managed to separate their rallies with goose eggs.  Indiana never scored in two successive innings.  Yet, when it all came down to it, Indiana won big time. 

Lee Zerrusen was again hit hard.  He gave up eight hits and five runs in three and 2/3 innings.  A big mystery to me is Big Z.  Everything pointed to Zerrusen being a solid starter this year but for some reason he got knocked around a lot.  He’s got good stuff, there’s no doubt about it.  It just never clicked.

I’ve said before I thought Pete Cappetta was a late starter.  He showing that to an extreme this year.  On Tuesday, Cappetta (right) hit his first homerun of the year against Western Michigan.  Today, he hit his second, an 8th inning 2-run shot.  For the day, he was 3 for 3 with 2 rbis, 2 runs and a stolen base.  DH Aaron Johnson knocked two base hits and scored twice. 

Argo Watch:  Willie got on base three times on two singles and a walk but did not steal a base.  Two of those times, there was a runner on second base.  He needs one more stolen base to tie the team record. 

Random Ramblings

If you know why Mike Giller hasn’t been playing in the past week or two, you know more than I.  I’ve been asking around and no one seems to know.  Giller has had a pretty productive 2010 spelling for the injured Matt Dittman at first base.  Given Giller is a senior and these are his last days an Illini, I’m betting/hoping it’s a good reason.

More news from the minors… former Illini catcher Lars Davis has been promoted to AA ball.  Lars (left) will be reporting to the Tulsa Drillers which is the AA affiliate for the Colorado Rockies.  Congrats, Lars! 

(By the way, thanks to the person who occasionally feeds me these news tips.  I know they want to remain anonymous but I do want to express my appreciation (you know who you are).

  Tomorrow is a 2pm game.  Kevin Johnson is on the mound for the good guys.

Go Illini!!

Despite the rain, almost 500 fans (and their umbrellas) showed up to watch the Illini

It was an off and on rainy day at Illinois Field for the Illini’s last home Big Ten game.  Finishing off their series against Purdue, they hoped to win the rubber game and help their chances in the Tournament hunt but Purdue jumped out ahead early and Illinois never recovered.  Purdue won 6-1. 

Illini starter Matt Milroy

Starter Matt Milroy and his reliever Kevin Manson just weren’t on their game today.  Milroy only last for two innings and really only suffered one rally which culminated in a Nick Overmyer three-run homerun.  Manson also got the quick hook in the fifth after a two-run Ryan Bridges homer. 

Christian Cummins hauls in a pop fly while Craig Lutes watches on

By that time, it was 5-0 and it didn’t look like Boilermaker starter Drew Wurdak was about to give up anything to the good guys.  He gave up only five hits and just one run in 7 1/3 innings.  Interestingly, he did not strike out an Illini batter though. 

Casey McMurray high-fives Pete Cappetta after he scores Illinois’ only run

Illinois did put a run on the board in the fifth.  After Casey McMurray doubled, Aaron Johnson drove him home with a single to left.  And though we had our chances in the 8th and 9th, nothing came of it. 

Johnson was 2 for 3 with an rbi.  McMurray was 2 for 4 with a run. 

Alas, Bryan Roberts pitched a fantastic 8th and 9th innings which would have made a perfect save, if only…

Argo Watch:  Willie Argo went oh for 5 today.  As they say, you can’t steal first base.  Believe me, Willie would if he could.  He’ll have to wait to tie/break Kyle Hudson’s stolen base record. 

More rainy photos in the photo gallery.  Here is the slideshow.

Next Up

Sad to say, there is only one more home game left, a non-conference game against Western Michigan on Tuesday.  Please note the unusual game time of 4:05pm.  Admission is free so be a big spender and invite all your friends to the ballpark. 

MSU’s 16 runs were spread throughout the game and hence, all our pitchers suffered their wrath.  Will Strack was hit hard… seven hits and five runs in less than three innings.  That puts him at 1-3 for the year.  Billy Barrett got a nickel’s worth of runs charged to him too in two innings.  De la Torriente, Kimes, and Anderson allowed two each.  Anderson did strike out four Spartan batters in three innings.  Illini pitching was able to strike out only one other MSU batter.

Offensively, we were pretty dead.  Even our one run was unearned.  Christian Cummins (left) who seems to have taken the job at second base, went 3 for 3 with a double and scored that run.  Thomas Shelton also got two hits.  That makes him 9 for 20 for the year. 

Other than Aaron Johnson’s single in the first, that was about it for the Illini offense on Saturday. 

Up Next

Just one midweek game on the docket.  They play the Bradley Braves who come to town on Tuesday.  This is a repeat appointment for these two teams.  Back in early April, Illinois sneaked away from Peoria-town with an 11-10 win. 

This weekend, Northwestern comes to town.

Random Ramblings

Since I didn’t make it up to East Lansing this weekend, the family and I went to see the #18 U of I softball team on Saturday.  We got to see a great pitching performance by sophomore Monica Perry who gave up just one hit to Wisconsin.  Meredith Hackett hit two homeruns in the game.  Final Score 6-0.  And yes, I took some photos.

In game 1, Lee Zerrusen got the start (on his birthday as he mentions in Diamond Notes #9) and again pitched well enough to keep us in the game.  Pitching six innings, he allowed just three runs.  Unlike his last start though, his control seems to have improved allowing only two walks. 

It was the bullpen that deserves the big applause in Game 1.  Wes Braun (left) showed his good stuff once more.  He got the win on three scoreless innings of work.  Bryan Roberts came in to pitch a perfect 10th inning to get his sixth save of the season. 

Casey McMurray was the offensive hero of the first game.  He was 2 for 5 including a homerun to lead off the sixth.  Mac had three rbis on the game. 

Game 1 Box Score

Game 1 may have been a bit of a pitcher’s duel as the Big Ten goes, but Game 2 was a different matter.  Michigan State got their hitting shoes on and dealt Illinois a 10-2 defeat. 

As good as Kevin Johnson was last weekend, he just didn’t have it yesterday.  Seven Spartans crossed the plate in the first inning.  To make matters worse, the Illini offense didn’t respond.  Or perhaps, they just didn’t take advantage of opportunities,  After all, they DID have eleven hits.  Something I happened to noticed that probably indicates the futility of the timing and Two Illini batters had two hits (Aaron Johnson and Josh Parr) but they worked alone because they didn’t drive in a run or score. 

One thing that should be noted… Kevin Manson (right)who came in Johnson in the second, pitched a great game.  Not only did he only allow just two runs in seven innings but he didn’t walk any batters either. 

Game 2 Box Score

As I said, the third and last game of the series at MSU is today at 11:05am. 

Random Ramblings

No, I didn’t fall of the face of the earth.  Between work issues (I do have a day job :) ) and some personal stuff going on, I haven’t been able to update blog the last couple days.  Thanks to those who inquired.  It’s nice to know I’m missed. :)

The Illini Retrospective is getting closer and closer to our era.  The latest installment is The 1970s.  That would be when my brother went to the University of Illinois.  I know he was a big Illini sports fan so I’ll have to ask him if he caught any baseball games.

It’s been two weeks since I’ve seen an Illini baseball game.  I’m going through withdrawal. Tuesday’s game against Bradley can’t come quick enough.

Mike Giller slides in to score ahead of Casey McMurray

Michigan scored one run in each of the first three innings to take a 3-0 lead but Illinois mounted an exciting rally in the third.  With two outs and runners on first and second, the Illini managed to bring home three runs.  That was in thanks to three hits by Brandon Hohl, Craig Lutes and Pete Cappetta and a couple of hit by pitches plus a Michigan error.

It was goose eggs until the seventh when the Michigan offense kicked in.  After an error and a single, starter Lee Zerrusen was yanked.  Unfortunately, the bullpen didn’t do much better.  Five hits and six runs later, Michigan had a 9-3 lead. 

Meanwhile, the Illini offense was being stifled by Michigan pitching.  They were led by Tyler Burgoon who went 5 1/3 innings and didn’t give up a run.  Burgoon got the win for the game. 

Bill Charvat manages a ninth inning rbi

Michigan did score two more in the ninth and Illinois plated a run on a Bill Charvat rbi ground out.  But Illini just didn’t weren’t able to rally. 

Zerrusen brings it in the first inning

Starter Lee Zerrusen wasn’t perfect by any means but he didn’t pitch badly either.  He allowed three runs on five hits in six plus innings.  His main issue was control.  He allowed five walks. 

Two hits for Aaron Johnson and Craig Lutes who both remain hot.

Let’s face it.  In any year, Michigan is tough.  I’m not going to add up their stats for the weekend but Ryan LaMarre and Chris Berset came highly touted and they didn’t disappoint the visitor fans.  And at least on Friday and Sunday, the pitching was good enough to support that kind of hitting.  I’m giving kudos where kudos are due.  Great job by the Michigan team. 

I’m just glad the Illini gave us an exciting show on Saturday.

More of my photos here

Random Ramblings

Eight errors in today’s game, five by the Illini.  Five total wild pitches (two by the good guys).  One catcher’s interference.  And one rally killing pick-off.  Not naming names.  Just thought that needed to be said. 

Today was Dog Day.  Plenty of dogs at Illinois Field but only one dog fight to speak of. 

After the game, the sophomore players lined up behind tables in the grassy area so they could sign autographs for the kiddos.  As I left, it was quite a line waiting for their chance to get the John Hancock’s from the players.  I’m glad that the players do this kind of thing.

Get ‘em next time, Illini!

Shortstop Josh Parr ponders the scoreboard in the seventh inning

Can we just forget about Friday night?

Friday’s night’s game against Michigan was over pretty much before we knew it.  I had to feel for anyone who came a few innings late to the game.  When they walked in and saw the 15-0 lead Michigan already had after only three innings, you can’t blame them for being a tad disheartened.  But I’ll give the Illini faithful credit.  Many of the 769 fans stuck it out till the end.  It didn’t get much better though as Michigan won 17-1.

Kevin Manson was perfect vs EIU on Tuesday.  Against Michigan… not so much.

I won’t belabor the point but starter Kevin Manson did not have his best stuff (7 runs and 7 hits in 1 inning).  Neither did Will Strack who took over for Manson in the second (4 runs on 2 hits in one inning).  John Anderson who took the mound in the 3rd, didn’t start out much better giving up two walks, a single and eventually a homerun to Mike Dufek but Hartleb stuck with him.  It was sound strategy as Anderson settled down and found his groove.  He pitched three scoreless innings after that and only allowed two Michigan runs after that.  Wes Braun pitched a scoreless ninth. 

In fact, after the third inning, it looked like a totally different ballgame.  We got good pitching from Anderson and Braun.  Our defense was superb.  There were some fantastic plays made out there by the good guys.  Josh Parr, Craig Lutes and Brandon Hohl displayed some great glovework. 

Michigan batted around in the order twice in the game… in the second and the third innings. Michigan’s Dufek was the master with the stick.  He got four hits including the homerun.  He drove in four and scored three.

For the Illini, our sole run came in the sixth inning.  Aaron Johnson gave the fans something to cheer about and cranked a solo shot to center which at least prevented a shutout. 

Cummins gets two hits on the night

One more note, Christian Cummins started at second last night.  It was a bit of musical chairs in our lineup with Pete Cappetta going to left and Casey McMurray taking on the DH role.  Long story short, Cummins responded by getting 2 hits in four at-bats. 

I have more of my photos posted if you’re interested.

And if you can bear to watch it, Big Ten Network has a highlight video of Friday night’s game.

Today’s another day, though and at 3:05 the scoreboard is reset at 0-0. 

Random Ramblings

I got a chance to talk to John Santas last night.  Santas (above) is one of driving forces behind the Dugout Club, the organization that supports and promotes the baseball program. 

I’ve chatted with Santas in the past.  He and his cronies will sit behind home plate and cheer the Illini on from their close vantage point.  I like his style.  He’s an old school baseball fan who knows his baseball history.  Before each game, he will trot down to the bullpen and check on how the starter is feeling for the upcoming game. 

Last night, Santas was helping promote the Dugout Club so he and I talked a bit.  If anyone is interested in finding out more about the Dugout Club, you can find out more at their webpage. 

Ok, Illini… now it’s OUR turn!

Willie Argo takes a lead off third

We all knew Willie Argo was good but last night, he got his 100th hit against the Panthers.  According to the record books, he ties with Andy Shutztenhofer for reaching the century mark in the quickest time.  It only took 269 at-bats.  For the night, Argo was 2 for 3 with four (yes, four) stolen bases.

Manson was on his game against EIU

Kevin Manson got the call to start last night.  I don’t think I’ve seen anyone pitch so well as I did Manson. He was Mr Efficient.  For those three innings, Manson only pitched one ball.  For the three innings, he only threw 17 pitches.  Pretty amazing in my book. 

For the record, Manson allowed no runs on one hit.  He definitely earned his second win of the year.

Fantastic work by the bullpen, too.  Between Brian de la Torriente, Will Strack, John Anderson and Tanner Libby, they gave up just one run in six innings. 

Johnson would rather have the homerun instead of the HBP anyway, thank you

Aaron Johnson provided some excitement last night as well.  Johnson, who was hit by the pitch in the third inning, came to the plate in fifth.  He was hit AGAIN.  But this time, the ump called him back apparently indicating that Johnson didn’t make a move to get out of the way.  He had the last word though.  Two pitches later, Johnson lined it over the left center wall for a two-run homerun.  Heh, don’t toy with Aaron, I guess.

Josh Parr continues to hit.  He got two hits and two runs plus an rbi including a double.  I really see Parr coming out of his slump. 

More photos at the photo gallery.

Random Ramblings

I was happy to see that those in charge are putting the names of the players up on the scoreboard as they are up to bat.  They haven’t been until last night.  It’s nice for the casual Illini fan to learn the home team and for some of us, to keep up with the opposition.

Great job, Illini!

Last night was the touted “Battle at Busch”, a game between Illinois and Missouri at St Louis Cardinals’ Busch Stadium.  I went down the on the bus trip sponsored by the Dugout Club.  The trip was fun even though the good guys lost.

The Illini had a great second inning offensively.  Other than that, Missouri pitching kept them fooled.  All four of Illinois’ runs were scored that inning.  Despite leaving 13 runners on base, Mizzou scored enough to win the game.  They won 7-4.

Mike Giller motors toward third in Illinois’ four-run second inning

The second inning was pretty exciting though.  A well-executed hit-and-run with Adam Davis on first and Josh Parr up to bat.  That was immediately followed by a delayed double steal scoring Davis.  That’s the kind of thing that makes college baseball so fun. 

3 2/3 scoreless innings for Wes Braun

Wes Braun pitched excellently out of the bullpen.  Braun came in after reliever Billy Barrett got into trouble in the third and gave up three runs.  Braun closed the door in the third inning and pitched three more scoreless innings.  By the way, this was Billy Barrett’s first appearance after coming back from injury.  Unfortunately, it had to result in a loss.  Welcome back, Billy.

Willie Argo takes a lead before his steal…

… and there he goes!

Casey McMurray was 2 for 4 including a double for the night.  He was the only Illini with more than one hit.  Willie Argo, who I heard was banged up a bit in the game against Bradley, was back and coaxed two walks, stole a base and scored a run.

Here are a few more photos:

There were about 30-40 of us who took the bus organized by the Dugout Club. 

The starting lineups on Busch Stadium’s scoreboard.

Is that Aaron Johnson… SMILING?

A camera guy came down by us to get a shot of the fans.  So I decided to get a shot of HIM.

Speaking of cameramen, Casey McMurray gets the media treatment before his at-bat.

Craig Lutes is looking pretty hard core on the jumbotron. 

More photos at the photo gallery

Brandon Hohl hit two homeruns the first as an Illini.  That’s the second time in two games that an Illini player not only hit his first college career homerun but did it twice.  Adam Davis hit two on Sunday which were also his first as an Illini. 

Mike Giller hit 3 doubles and drove in two runs and scored two.  Aaron Johnson, Craig Lutes, Josh Parr and Pete Cappetta all had two hits.  Both of Parr’s hits were doubles.

Random Ramblings

Don’t look now but Illinois is in first place.  I say that in jest since the Illini are in a five way tie for the top spot after only three conference games.  But chomp on this… they have won 10 of their last 12 games. 

At roughly the same time Illinois will be playing Missouri at Busch Stadium, the Iowa Hawkeyes will take on the AAA Iowa Cubs.  The catcher for the I-Cubs is none other than former Illini Chris Robinson.  We’ll be taking on Iowa this coming weekend at their place so we need Chris to take em down a notch. 

Speaking of the Battle at Busch, I’ve seen nasty weather predicted for tomorrow here in Champaign.  But a look at the forecast for St Louis looks pretty good.  Partly sunny and 68 degrees at one hour before gametime.