Illinois sweeps NU; Grabs first place for themselves

Illinois and starting pitcher Bryan Roberts took care of business today as they shut out Northwestern Wildcats 9-0 at Rocky Miller Park in Evanston.  With help from Michigan who defeated Ohio State, they are now in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten conference. Roberts was lights out as he struck out seven [...]

ILL 15 NU 12: ‘Cats make it interesting

Now, that Illinois win was just a little TOO interesting. With a 15-3 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Northwestern Wildcats rallied for nine runs to make it close.  Fortunately, Will Strack came in and shut the door on the ‘Cats, pitching a perfect ninth.  The final score was 15-12 Illinois.  [...]

Illinois offensive show on Sunday takes the series from Michigan

Once again, Michigan scored first but Illinois came back to win another one from Wolverines to take the series from UM in Ann Arbor. Michigan scored two in the first but Illinois rallied to put three on the board in the second inning thanks to consecutive singles by Aaron Johnson and Josh Parr and a [...]

Illini rally to even series against Michigan

I admit it.  From down here in Illinois, things didn’t look too good for the Orange and Blue Saturday afternoon.  Down by scores of 4-0 and 6-3, it looked like Michigan might go up 2-0 in the series. But wow, what a comeback!  Behind the offensive efforts of Joe Bonadonna (3 for 5, 2B, 4 [...]

Six questions for Michigan blog, Varsity Blue

After two home weekends against Big Ten teams, Illinois goes on the road.  More specifically, to Ray Fisher Stadium in Ann Arbor to play 2008 Big Ten champs University of Michigan.  We decided that the Q&A with the Indiana baseball blog Behind the Plate went so well, we decided to do it again.  This time [...]

The spoils of the LSU Battle; Illinois is now among the ranked teams

Lots to talk about in the wake of Illinois’ series victory over (then) #1 LSU Tigers last weekend.  The Illini won Friday’s game and Sunday’s game both on the efforts of good starting pitching by Phil Haig and Ben Reeser respectively. I say "then #1" because well, it’s no surprise that LSU dropped in the [...]

Big Ten Diamond News

Some quick news links from around the Big Ten baseball world -Brian from Big Ten Hardball wraps up the BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge and chose his All-Weekend Team.  Brandon Wikoff and Dom Altobelli made first team.  Aaron Johnson made honorable mention. -Yes, the Big Ten did reign supreme in the Challenge.  They won 15 of [...]

Final thoughts on the 2008 Big Ten Tournament

I’m back in Urbana, Illinois and before we close the book on the 2008 Big Ten Tournament, I’d like to provide some last comments and maybe some cool photos that didn’t make it into postings last week. Michigan’s All-Big Ten Player of the Year Nate Recknagel at the plate Once again, congratulations to the Michigan [...]

Michigan takes the Big Ten Tournament crown

The University of Michigan Wolverines have won the Big Ten Tournament championship.  But first things first: Dan Black knocked out 3 homers against Indiana today This afternoon, Purdue and Indiana played each other for the right to take on Michigan.  Purdue put runs on the board easily thanks to the efforts of Dan Black who [...]

Saturday’s lineup at the Big Ten Tournament

Indiana catcher Josh Phegley I’m still getting used to the fact that Indiana is still in the tournament. Obvious underdogs not just of the tourney but the Big Ten season in general, they’ve come a long way. Coming in to the tournament as the #6 seed, they didn’t overwhelm in the first game when they [...]