Justin Parr:  #1 in conference batting average for 2011

The local paper, the News-Gazette, just posted a list of the top 100 Illini athletes according to sportswriter Jeff Huth.

Illini baseball got their due getting eight players mentioned on the list.

#23  Justin Parr

#38  Charlie Tilson

#44  Brandon Hohl

#52  Davis Hendrickson

#67  Willie Argo

#70  Bryan Roberts

#89  Kevin Johnson

#99  Jordan Parr

It should be mentioned that Huth’s list was created before the school year (and most likely the MLB signing deadline) hence any confusion over the inclusion of Charlie Tilson who was signed by the St Cardinals.

As for my opinion, it’s hard to put a few Illini baseball players on any list without putting all of them on it.  I know it’s a cliché but historically, the Illini baseball club has played like a ‘team’.  They cycle through heroes each week, taking turns being the one who comes through in clutch.  These lists are fine for the bigs but I’m not a big fan of ranking players like this on the college level.

That said, every player on this list certainly deserves every accolade coming to them.  I especially like the choice of Roberts.  Good to know that his efforts weren’t forgotten after a year on the shelf.  We’re looking forward to having him back on the mound in 2012.

The Records Book includes records of every type of category.  It begins with an overview of the 2011 season then includes standings for every year of Big Ten Baseball history.  If you delve deeper, you’ll find all-time records (both season and Big Ten conference play).

There’s fun data here like Bubba Smith’s 4 homeruns in one game on April 30, 1991.  Chris Basak’s 12 assists on May 14, 2000.  And my favorite, Darrin Fletcher’s .497 batting average in 1987.

All awards are listed too.  Everything from Big Ten Players of the Year to Academic All-Big Ten honorees.

Have fun browsing, Illini fans!

Slammin’ Pack

Chris Pack, who was instrumental in Illinois’ success in the 2011 season as a reliever, is showing that same effectiveness for the Joliet Slammers.  Thanks in part to Pack (left, pitching for the Illini against Indiana State), the Slammers just clinched the Frontier League’s East Division title with a 54-38 record on Thursday.

Pack did well out of the pen.  In 21 games, he had a 3.55 ERA and allowed just 23 hits in just over 26 innings.

Good luck in the playoffs!!

Senator Roark

This is late news and for that I apologize but this is worth mentioning.  Former Illini starter Tanner Roark who now pitches for the Harrisburg Senators, was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week back on August 1.  Roark (left in Illini days with batterymate Lars Davis) struck out 10 in over 14 innings and won both of his games.

Interesting point about Roark… back in August 1, the article shows his record as 6-7 with a 5.47 ERA.  Looking at his numbers now, he’s 9-8 with a 4.75 mark so things are looking up for Tanner!

Congrats, Tanner!

A note or two about news items

Believe it or not, not every news item I post here I don’t find myself.  Some are forwarded to me by Illini fans.  There is one in particular who doesn’t want to be named but I do want to recognize this person by saying thanks because with these news tidbits being forwarded to me, IBR becomes a more enriched website.

What’s my point?  If you see a news item on the web regarding Illinois baseball, former Illinois baseball players in the minors or anything that people who visit this site might want to read about, please don’t hesitate to let me know.  To that end, I’ve created this handy web form so that you can contact me via email.

For that matter, you can just contact me just say hello. I like that too.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

An infielder from Dakota Dunes, SD has signed a letter of intent.  David Kerian can play shortstop, third base, or second base.  He’s also a switch hitter.  He’s a valuable prospect it seems.  He was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 2011 draft.

You can read his bio at fightingillini.com.

  Tomorrow (July 18th) is the Northwoods League midseason All-Star Game.  Two Illini were named to NWL All-Star teams.  Davis Hendrickson and Matt Milroy (left) are both having great seasons for their respective teams.  Hendrickson is hitting .336 with 18 runs for the Waterloo Bucks.  Matt Milroy has a 4.02 ERA with 24 strikeouts as a reliever for the Madison Mallards.

The game will be broadcast live on the web July 18th at 7:05pm.  More info at the NWL web site.

Finally, congratulations to Billy Barrett, Lee Zerrusen, and Wes Braun who were named as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar!

Meanwhile, the Big Ten All-Tournament Team has been announced.  No surprise here.. The Illini did pretty well.

Starters John Anderson and Corey Kimes were named for their respective outstanding performances.  Catcher Adam Davis who besides doing a fine job behind the plate, went 5 for 13 with 3 doubles.  Center fielder Willie Argo got 5 hits and stole four bases.  I’ve already talked about Justin Parr’s qualifications for the All-Tournament team.  I’m glad he was chosen. He ended up 6 for 14 and scored three  times.

But Matt Dittman, rumor has it he’s pretty popular now with Illinois baseball fans.  Both of his hits were homeruns and one of them was a grand slam against Michigan State for a total of five rbis.  And don’t forget, though Dittman (right) didn’t get a hit in the wild Ohio State game, he scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, too.

Who did they leave off?  If I could place one more Illini player on the team, who would it be?  Well, it would be hard to displace Minnesota’s AJ Pettersen but Josh Parr had an excellent tournament at shortstop making some excellent plays. He went 4 for 13 and drove in three runs and scored two.  He might have been my choice.

Here is the complete All-Tournament Team

2011 Big Ten Baseball All-Tournament Team

P – John Anderson, ILL
P – Corey Kimes, ILL
P – Kurt Wunderlich, MSU
P – Tom Windle, MINN
C – Adam Davis, ILL
1B – Matt Dittman, ILL
2B – Matt Puhl, MINN
3B – Torsten Boss, MSU
SS – AJ Pettersen, MINN
OF – Willie Argo, ILL
OF – Justin Gominsky, MINN
OF – Brian DeLucia, OSU
OF – Tyler Spillner, PUR
DH – Justin Parr, ILL

Congratulations to John, Corey, Adam, Matt, Willie and Justin!!!

Matt Dittman got the Big Ten Player of the Week award this week.  He better have after his walk-off performance on Saturday.

But Ditt actually had a great weekend independent of his walk-off homerun.  That homerun was his second of the series and for the series, he hit .600.  He drove in five runs plus scored six as well.

Congrats, Matt!

Unfortunately, the first WVU batter walked in the bottom of the ninth.  After a successful sacrifice bunt, the winning run for the Mountaineers scored on a base hit.  Final Score: WVU 5 Illinois 4.

Josh Parr (right) had another good game going 2 for 4 with a triple and an rbi with two stolen bases.  His effort for the weekend was good enough in fact, to garner him Honorable Mention All-Tournament.  For the weekend, he hit .385 with a .615 slugging percentage. 

Big Ten Talk

Conference-wise, the Big Ten slipped again on Sunday, winning only three games out of nine.  This time winners were Indiana, Ohio State and Purdue.  Michigan State was the big winner from our conference winning all three of their games. 

Overall, the Big Ten lost this year’s tournament.  They went 10-14 this weekend. 

Purdue had two of this weekend’s award winners with Barrett Serrato winning the Player of the Week and Matt Morgan getting the Pitcher of the Week.  Ohio State’s Josh Dezse took home this week’s Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

I know it’s early but here are the standings after one weekend:

Next up: 

Illinois will head down to Ft Myers, Florida to face Florida Gulf Coast for three games this coming weekend.  Friday’s game time is 5:30pm CT.

Argo:  speediest in the Big Ten?

College Baseball Insider asked the Big Ten Baseball coaches their opinions on a variety of baseball topics.  Nine of them responded and CBI put them together for their Big Ten baseball preview.

The team to beat?  It was unanimous for Minnesota.  A lot of things can happen from now till conference season but it looks like the Golden Gophers have a solid core especially if every coach can agree on it.

There were a couple of Illini players that showed up in the CBI Big Ten Baseball preview.

The best base-runner is: Willie Argo, Illinois

The best outfield arm is: Pete Cappetta, Illinois

Argo also showed up in the list of the “three best pure hitters” along with two of Indiana’s offensive threats, Alex Dickerson and Jerrod Sabourin.  Certainly good company to be in and I would definitely agree with the label “pure hitter” when applied to Willie.

Congrats to Willie and Pete!

Lavery had some pretty impressive stats for the summer league Waterloo Bucks that still hold up even today.

From Summer Ball:

In the ’98 campaign, Lavery won nine games, started 12, and finished with a 1.87 ERA. For his efforts, the Naperville, Illinois native was named to that season’s NWL All-Star Team. Lavery’s nine wins in ’98 ties him for the second most in a single-season in Waterloo’s record books. In addition, Lavery owns the Bucks’ fifth best single-season ERA and is tied for 10th for games started in a season. His 10 career wins places him sixth in Waterloo team history…

Lavery was drafted by the Cubs after college ball and played professionally until 2002.

Congrats to Tim!

Willie Argo gets a hit in Game 2 of the 2009 Orange and Blue World Series

I found out just today that the dates for the Orange and Blue World Series have been scheduled.  The team plans to play on October 4-6.  No times have been given but weekday O&B games in the past have been played in the late afternoon. 

For those not in the know, the Orange and Blue World Series is an annual series played in the fall.  It’s played by the Illini team split up into the Orange team and Blue team.

It’s a good chance for the Illinois baseball fans to get to know the team that they will be seeing in the 2011 season.  It’s especially handy to see the new guys, the freshman and transfers. 

So mark your calendars for October 4, 5 and 6.  If I get some definite times, I’ll pass them on.

Update:  Word has it that games will start around 4:30… give or take a few minutes.

Other Stuff

If you’ve already seen my photos of the progress made on the new clubhouse addition at Illinois Field, you might also want to see the official pictures posted on the U of I Baseball site.

Also, I’m a little late with this but kudos to Corey Kimes for getting named to the list of Top 10 Prospects by Baseball America in the Prospect League.  Corey was 5-1 with a 2.64 ERA and allowed only 16 walks and 42 hits in 47 2/3 innings.

Congrats, Corey!