Starting pitcher Corey Kimes threw a career high 9 innings and seven strikeouts and seemed to have the Spartans fooled.  Giving up no walks on the day, it was Kimes’ fourth win on the year and one of his strongest starts on the year no doubt fueled by the importance of the win.

Meanwhile, a very spent Spartan pitching staff had trouble catching up.  Freshman starter Chase Rihtarchik lasted less than three innings when he gave up four runs.  All told, MSU went through seven pitchers and it seemed Illinois batters found a way to get through to most of them.

All nine Illini starters got at least one hit, some more.  Poor Matt Dittman.  He only got one but he got the kind of hit that comes with four rbis.  A grand slam in the 3rd inning which put the score at 5-0.  It was Dittman’s second homerun in the Tournament and fourth in six games.

An inning later, Josh Parr and Pete Cappetta hit back-to-back doubles followed later by a triple by Brandon Hohl.  As a matter of fact, six extra base hits were hit in the game.  Adam Davis and Justin Parr also hit doubles.

All game, it appeared the Illini were playing loose and as result, things came easy or at least seemed to.  More importantly, it looked like they were having fun.  The look on Justin Parr’s face as he scored in the first inning was awesome.

Here’s Adam Davis, Matt Dittman and Corey Kimes getting interviewed by the Big Ten Network after tonight’s game (plus a few highlights).

This was Illinois’ eighth victory in a row and 16th of their last 20 games.  So what’s next?  The NCAA Regionals, of course.  They get the automatic bid being the Big Ten Tournament Champion.  It’s not known if there will be an at-large selection (if there were, it would be Michigan State) but pundits who know more than I are saying that the chances are slim.  The NCAA Selection will be announced Monday.

Congratulations to the Illinois Fighting Illini Baseball team on a job well done!

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with good ol’ friendly Illini HQ and fightingillini.com either.

Tonight, Illinois will play the winner of this afternoon’s Minnesota-Michigan State matchup.  Both teams will be tough.  We already know how good the Spartans are.  Consider this though:  After an initial loss, Minnesota has eliminated the remaining three tournament participants with wins against Penn State, Purdue and Ohio State.  Call them the Terminator.

Illinois hasn’t had a chance to play Minnesota this year.  As a matter of fact, the last time the Illini faced the Golden Gophers was in 2009.  Given what happened the last time we met with them and our 2011 track record with MSU, I say, bring on the Spartans!

The tournament has simplified itself but here’s the updated bracket anyway.

Good luck, Illini!

We can thank starter John Anderson (right) for the lack of dramatics.  He simply kept Spartan batters at bay for seven plus innings.  As a matter of fact, MSU was kept scoreless for the first seven innings.  When Jeff Holm scored on a Jared Hook double in eighth, Coach Hartleb brought in Chris Pack to relieve.  It reminded me of the first few weeks of the season when those two paired up often.  Pack was perfect in an inning and two-thirds getting his third save.

Meanwhile, the Illini had already gotten the lead they needed.  In the second, Adam Davis doubled home Justin Parr for a run.  Two innings later, Josh Parr doubled home Casey McMurray and Davis Hendrickson.  For some insurance, Matt Dittman showed the Tournament crowd a little bit of what we saw last weekend.  He hit a home run BLAST to the right field which bounced back almost to the infield.

Looking ahead

Illinois gets to rest until Saturday night while Michigan State and Minnesota battle it out.  The loser of that game goes home but the winner goes on to play Illinois for the evening game.

If Illinois wins, they win the Tournament Championship.  If they don’t,  the same teams play on Sunday for the Championship.

What does this mean, really?

A lot of things actually but Illinois is sitting in the driving seat.

1) Illinois hasn’t lost yet and to get eliminated from the tourney, a team needs to lose two games.  Either Minnesota or Michigan State will have to win three straight games (one against the other and two against Illinois) to win it all.  Illinois just needs to win tomorrow night’s game.

2)  Rest.  Going into tomorrow night’s game against Illinois, the winner of the MSU-Minn game will have just played a full game and will be expected to go out and play another with about an hour’s rest.  (Some could make a valid argument that a win would bring them momentum and sitting around takes that out of you.)

3)  If Minnesota takes Michigan State in tomorrow’s loser’s bracket game, pitching will be an issue.  I’ve seen this happen in other Tournaments.  Keep in mind that tomorrow’s game against MSU will be the Golden Gophers’ fifth game in four days.  Starting pitchers are going on little rest and you can expect to see the bullpen early.

However this turns out, I’m looking for Justin Parr to get All-Tournament honors.  In just two games, he’s gone 5 for 9 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.  But please, BTN announcers, no more Parr/par jokes.  We’ve heard them.

Go Illini!

Pete Cappetta:  Tough against the Big Ten

I was chatting over Facebook with a friend who is MSU baseball fan.  He says “I was taught it is nice to share. Congrats to both teams, and maybe we will settle this on the field at the tournament.”.

It is truly a nice sentiment. Though I bet if the two teams meet in the tournament, they might get a little grabby.

By now, the players and coaches are probably in Columbus since the Big Ten Tournament starts tomorrow.  Neither MSU nor Illinois will see any action, though.  That’s the beauty of getting the bye.  Tomorrow’s action will see the 3 through 6 seeds taking on each other.  Specifically,  Ohio State and Minnesota face off for the noon game and Purdue and Penn State go at it for the mid-afternoon game.

What about Illinois?  They won’t play till 7pm Thursday night.  They will take on whichever of the two winners on Wednesday has the lowest seed.  The Spartans will take on higher seed earlier in the day.

here’s a link to all the bracket goodness.

Just a few facts

With their last win, Illinois reached .500 for the full season.

This is the third #1 seed for Illinois and their sixth tournament in seven years.

Michigan State’s second seed is their highest seed ever and their Big Ten title this year is their first since 1979.

Justin Parr (.411) and Pete Cappetta (.403) rank #1 and #2 in the Big Ten in batting average during conference play (nice!)

The breakdown of how often each seed won the tournament:  #1 seed- 8 times, #2 seed- 7 times, #3 seed- 4 times, #4 seed- 2 times, #5 seed- 1 time, #6 seed- 1 time.

Other Stuff

I wanted to express my thanks to Dan Zerrusen, father of Lee.  Dan runs a print shop called Three Z Printing down in Teutopolis, Illinois and was nice enough to take one of my photos and blow it up and print up a nice poster.  It looks great!

Thank you, Dan!

I even got reprimanded by my cousin when I pulled out my smartphone to check Sunday’s Illinois score during my family’s Easter dinner.  I informed her what I was doing with naïve thought that it might make a difference with her.

“Baseball?  They play baseball on Easter?”

Obviously not.  I should have known better.

But I’m glad I did.  It was quite a weekend.

Quick wrapups

Illinois lost Friday’s game (which was actually played Saturday due to weather) 8-5.  The Spartans got off to a quick 4-0 lead by the second inning but the Illini rallied for four of their own runs in the fourth inning to tie the game.  MSU took off from there though and doubled their score by the seventh inning.  Final score 8-5.  Justin Parr hit safely three times including a double.  Brandon Hohl and Davis Hendrickson both got two hits and Willie Argo (left) hit his third homer of the year (one of Hendrickson’s went out, too).

Saturday’s game played was the second game of the doubleheader.    Wow, John Anderson was really on!  He pitched a complete game win allowing just six hits and a typical 0 walks (he did hit two batters, though).  That gives him a 4-5 record though.  I really like John and not just because he’s a Cub fan.  When he’s in a groove, no one can hit him.

Adam Davis hit HIS third homer of the year that game.  Once again, Justin Parr collected two hits.  Argo went two for three with two ribbies and two runs scored.  The Illini scored five runs, just enough for them to win, 5-2.

But Sunday’s game!  The comeback game was the one that topped them all.

Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
Michigan State...... 100 030 400 -  8 13  1
Illinois............ 300 006 20X - 11 14  2

Down 4-3 in sixth, Illinois came through with a six-run rally to go ahead for good.  That was fueled by a Pete Cappetta 2-run double followed up by a Justin Parr rbi double.

MSU threatened again in the seventh scoring four more runs making it 9-8.  Kudos go to Luke Joyce who shut them down and Wes Braun who closed the game out for his fifth save.  Final score 11-8.

Matt Dittman got three hits Sunday and Argo once again produced by hitting his fourth homer of the year and driving home three.

For his effort this weekend, Willie Argo was honored by the Big Ten.  He is this week’s Big Ten Player of the Week.

Next up

I’m going to forego this midweek’s previews due to lack of time.  Tuesday’s game is against Illinois-Springfield.  Game time is at 6:05pm.  Wednesday’s game is a rematch against Bradley at Illinois Field.  Wednesday’s game time is also at 6:05pm.

Tonight’s scheduled game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Saturday.  Game time is 12:05pm. 

Ruling question

At the ballpark, my friend Robin asked me about runner advancement on a infield fly rule.  The debate centered around if the ball dropped to the ground as opposed if it was caught and if either action affected runner advancement.  I asked my umpire friend (the one from my previous article) and he says:

Runners can advance at any time at their own risk.  Since the batter is called out the force is removed at all bases and the runners need to be tagged in order to be put out.  If the ball is caught and a runner has left the base before the catch then he still can be put out for leaving early.

My friend is a wealth of knowledge, I tell you.

I really do hope that we can get Friday’s game in.  If not, I’ll be MIA for this weekend’s series.  I’ll be out of town for the remainder of the weekend (you simply can’t reschedule Easter for the rest of family even when baseball is involved).  If Friday’s game is postponed, this will be the first weekend series I’ll miss in two years.

Fightingillini.com’s preview is up.  Worth noting is that Friday’s game is scheduled to be broadcast on Big Ten Network Television so another reason to put away the rain sticks.  Saturday’s game will be streamed live on BTN as well. Live stats and audio as usual on fightingillini.com

Michigan State rides atop the Big Ten (along with Indiana) in the early conference season with a 6-3 record.  They can back that up with a 23-10 overall record.  MSU has outscored their opposition by a 188-131 margin so it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise.

Michigan State and Illinois have long been rivals for a good many reasons.  Brother rivalries, late-inning wins (like this one) and simply because the two teams are usually vying for the last qualifying spot in the Big Ten Tournament.  Not this year, it seems for the Spartans as they seem to be off to a hot start.

Random Ramblings

I’m glad to see Pete Cappetta (above) back in the lineup and even happier to see him contribute.  He hit safely in all three Michigan games.  It doesn’t hurt that Pete can play practically every position if you ask him.  He’s played in right field, second base and third base and could certainly fill in at short (his original position) if needed.

Pete’s a hard playing ballplayer who gives his all to his team even when he’s not in the lineup.  If you don’t know what I mean, keep an eye on him during ballgames… he’s always the first one welcoming the fielders back to the dugout.

But for me, I’m glad to see him in field now.

Let’s go Illini!

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.

The Big Ten Tournament banner including Illinois’ Brandon Wikoff

As always, I had a great time at the Big Ten Tournament.  Win or lose, it’s a culmination of everything that the Illinois team has worked so hard for all season.  They’ve exceeded everyone else’s expectations this season and each one of them should be proud.

The paid attendance for Thursday night’s Ohio State-Illinois game was over 5,000.  John Chmielewski (father of Nick) told me that though they were primarily (ok, overwhelmingly) Buckeye fans, it was good to see that much interest in college baseball.  I agree.  The fans were really into the sport and I’m glad to see it.

I enjoyed meeting so many different people at the Tournament and getting to know better the ones I’ve already met.

I finally got to meet Drew Grigsby in person.  Drew (above) is a Ohio State Buckeye baseball fan and an avid reader of Illinois Baseball Report. I even did a Q&A interview of him before the OSU series earlier this year.  It was nice to hang with him and talk Big Ten baseball with him.  He’s quite knowledgeable on the topic.  Thanks, Drew!

A real treat for me was to meet Bob, the bus driver of the Illini baseball team.  Bob (above)  tells me that he’s been driving for the team for four years now and he really loves this “gig”.  He gets to drive the team then sit and watch baseball.  Bob is a former train conductor and since my son (and I) are train fans, we got talking about trains.

Bob says that the Illinois players are all “real good kids” and it wouldn’t surprise him if Coach Hartleb places a high emphasis on character when he goes out recruiting.

Drive Safe, Bob!

I chatted with Marianne Roof a couple times.  Marianne was there to see Eric and Jonathan play for Michigan State.  Of course, I got the latest from her about Shawn Roof, former Illinois shortstop.  She tells me that he’s growing a mustache now.  After the tournament, she will be going over to Akron where Shawn’s AA team will be playing.  It was a real pleasure to meet Marianne.

Finally, I want to say a big thank you to Mike and Kathy Altobelli.  Not just for the ride out to Columbus but for all the generosity and kindness they showed me while we were there.  They are good people and I am very grateful.  I wish them and Dom best of luck in the future.

Here’s a link to all coverage I did for the 2009 Big Ten Tournament and here’s the link for all the photos I took (551 photos total!).

Thanks Illini!