Reid Roper awaits a pitch during the last game of the Orange and Blue World Series

Today was the last game of Illinois Baseball’s Orange and Blue World Series.  Having split the first two games, this was the rubber game and I’m sure competitive juices were flowing.

Among the fans who came by to watch today’s matchup was 2011 senior and fan favorite, Pete Cappetta (above).  Pete is finishing up his accounting degree this semester.  He says he misses Illini baseball but is glad for the extra time to study.  Good man!

On the field, the Orange and Blue teams had two freshman righthanders going for them.  The Orange Team had 6’3” Josh Ferry from Lemont, IL going for them and the Blue Team had John Kravetz (above) from Lansing.

The Orange team really had the game in hand from the very start.  Bill Charvat who was playing first base, did his best to make his case for a starting position in 2012.  By my count, Charvat (above, sliding into third base) tallied three hits including a triple and a double.  The Orange Team staff led by Ferry, shut out the Blues for a good five innings.  If we had our scoring correct, Orange won 10-2 and took the series 2-1.

Extra pushups for the Blue Team, I guess.

Thanks to the Illini Baseball program for putting on the Orange and Blue World Series.  It gives us fans a good look at the new team!

Speaking of a good look, here are the photos from today.

Technically, they may not be the BEST quality photos I’ve taken but they are my favorites from this year.

The sun setting in the west beyond Illinois Field after a game.

Anyone who’s followed Josh Parr knows he’s made amazing progress in the field in just one year.  He’s saved Illinois many runs with his glove.

Willie Argo getting some air time stealing second.

I love getting shots of emotion.  This photo of Willie Argo was taken right after he scored in the comeback win in our first home game against Indiana State.

I just like the look on Pete Cappetta’s face as he motors into third base.

Matt Dittman gets a quick respite as he stands safely on third base.

All eyes follow the foul ball.

It might be worth looking at a larger version of photo.  The look on each player’s face shows how excited they are about Casey McMurray’s homerun in the last game of the year against Indiana.

Wes Braun comes off the field after one of many successful innings off the mound.

Matt Dittman mentally prepping for the first game against Indiana.

Josh Parr slides in for a triple against Indiana.

Pitcher Bryan Roberts was out for 2011 but he played an integral role in the dugout keeping it real.

Iowa head coach Jack Dahm expresses his opinion to the umpire

I don’t know why I like this photo of Brandon Hohl standing in the edge of the dugout but it’s one of my favorites.  .

Justin Parr always as an intense look on his face when on the field.  Here he his after scoring against Iowa.

These photos aren’t in any order of preference but I am saving the best for last.  This shot of Matt Dittman’s Big Ten title-clinching homerun trot is one of favorite photos I’ve taken.  There’s something about a smile on player knowing what he has helped accomplished for his team.

Your favorite??

In this first one, pay close attention to the very start where you see a split second of a fabulous play by Pete Cappetta.  Then toward the end, you’ll see Davis Hendrickson’s amazing catch against Fullerton.

In this SportCenter top five, you’ll see Pete Cappetta’s play in full (the audio is bad.. it’s not my video).

SoCalBaseball had interviewed some Illinois baseball crew while they were out there for the Regionals.  Here’s a YouTube clip of Pete Cappetta getting some media attention:

…and Kevin Johnson…

…even Coach Eric Snider talked to them.

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!

Hehe, I can’t pull that complacent shtick off, I am psyched as all get out.  Maybe I got worried a bit watching the Illinois-Ohio State game on my friend’s wide screen TV in his basement but I’ll tell you this:  When we were down 4-1 in eighth inning, I told my friend, “just wait, they’ll come back”.  And so they did winning 5-4 over the Ohio State Buckeyes. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

We need to address the matter of Kevin Johnson.  Johnson (left) in my opinion, was pitching one of the best games of the his season.  He was painting the outside corners like a French Impressionist.  I’m used to watching the games from the left field lines and not from the pitcher’s angle, that’s new to me, does he pitch like that ALL the time?  Aside from a solo shot to Buckeye Brian DeLucia, Johnson was practically unhittable.

That is, until the eighth inning when a ball hit in front of Willie Argo missed his glove and Argo slipped on the wet turf going after it. When all was said and done,  Greg Solomon had cleared the bases with a inside the park homerun.  Chris Pack came in to relieve after one more single but couldn’t stop a run-scoring double.  The score after 8 innings:  4-1.  My thought when Pack came in, there goes any chance for a win for Johnson no matter how much he deserves it.

But Pack was fantastic in the top of ninth.  After a leadoff walk, he retired the OSU batters three in a row.

Now what I saying about a comeback walk-off win?  Oh yeah!   The Buckeyes had uber-star firstbaseman/closer Josh Desze on the mound.  From what I can gather, Desze is the real thing (he has already been drafted by the Yankees out of high school).  Not only can he hit (42 rbis) but he can throw the ball hard.  His velocity on pitches last night hovered around 92-96 mph.  But there is a downfall to this freshman.  He tends to be a little wild.  He already game two walks in the 8th inning.  Why is that important?  It brought the top of the Illini lineup for the 9th inning.

Pete Cappetta lined a full count double into left center to lead the inning off.  He advanced to third on a Desze wild pitch and then scored on a Justin Parr base hit.  An out and another wild pitch later, Parr was on third, down by 2.  A base hit by Brandon Hohl drove home Parr making it 4-3.

By now, I was nodding my head and saying, ‘See? See?’ to my friend. ‘They’re going to come back!

Pat Sheehan ran for Hohl at first.  An out later, Matt Dittman walked putting runners on first and second.  Willie Argo (‘eager to atone’ claim the broadcasters) banged out a game tying single which in my opinion could have easily had gotten Sheehan out at the plate if the throw would have been on line.  Fortunately, it wasn’t.  Tie game.

Finally, Davis Hendrickson, hero of last Saturday’s game against Indiana, was once again the go-to guy.  Hendrickson (left) hit the first pitch up the middle for a single scoring Matt Dittman and winning the game 5-4.

Here is a link to the video press conference after the game with Coach Hartleb, Davis Hendrickson and Willie Argo

A couple notes on the game:

This was reliever Chris Pack’s 7th win of the year.  He now leads all Illini in wins for the season.

Pete Cappetta and Justin Parr came into the game leading  the Big Ten in hitting in conference play.  For the night, they both had three hits.

Willie Argo didn’t look pretty on that Solomon inside the park homerun but let’s face it.  We’ve seen four of five instances of outfielders slipping and sliding out there.  Knowing Willie, he was hustling and his feet were just ahead of his body

Heard an interesting stat last night:  Illinois has outscored their opponents in the ninth inning or later by a 40-10 margin.  Somehow I’m not surprised by that stat.

In other news and looking ahead

Earlier Thursday, Michigan State had no trouble with Purdue beating them 7-1 behind the pitching of Kurt Wunderlich.

And even before that, Minnesota sent Penn State packing for home defeating them 8-2.

With Illinois’ win, they will face they only other undefeated team in the tourney, Michigan State.  As long as the weather cooperates, game time is set for 6pm CT.  An advantage for the Illini?  They won’t have to face Pitcher of the Year Wunderlich who pitched yesterday.

and this just in as I’m typing this:  Today, Minnesota knocks Ohio State out of the tournament winning 9-4.

Last bit o’ commentary

I can’t emphasize how important tonight’s game will be.  These two teams are the only two undefeated teams left.  Is it the precursor to the Big Ten Tournament Championship game?  Maybe.  I will say the winning team comes out of tonight’s game in a very good spot.  The ultimate goal after all is to not lose two games and both MSU and Illinois have done their best to avoid that.

Minnesota fans have to be happy with the Golden Gophers, though.  After their initial loss to Ohio State in the very first game of the Tournament, they have struck back to win two in a row including a revenge win against the Buckeyes.  Keep your eye on them.

Big Ten Network Schedule and Results

Updated Tournament Bracket

press conference

The Chicago Tribune interviewed walk-off hero Matt Dittman

The Daily Illini has a couple of interesting articles.  One on the missing trophy (stupid policy in my opinion) and another preview of the Tournament.  A quick kudos to the DI for their extensive coverage of Illini Baseball ALL season.  I hope they continue that next year.)

And since all games at the Big Ten Baseball Tournament will be televised you might be find the Big Ten Network TV Schedule link useful.

Good luck, Illini!!

Josh Parr:  All-Big Ten Second Team

Yesterday, seven Illinois baseball players were honored with All-Big Ten awards.  While the Big Ten championship team was shut out of the All-Big Ten First team, Adam Davis, Pete Cappetta and Josh Parr were placed on the Second Team and Casey McMurray and Wes Braun were selected for the Third Team. 

Thomas Lindauer was selected as All-Big Ten Freshman at shortstop.  Additionally, Josh Parr was also honored with a Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. 

Congrats to everyone!  You’re all first team as far as I’m concerned.

Here is the full list:

ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM
C – Kevin Plawecki, PUR
1B – Jeff Holm, MSU
2B – Ryan Jones, MSU
SS – AJ Pettersen, MINN
3B – Torsten Boss, MSU
OF – BRANDON ECKERLE, MSU
OF – SEAN DEEGAN, PSU
OF – Barrett Serrato, PUR
DH – Alex Dickerson, IND
SP – Joey DeNato, IND
SP – Tony Bucciferro, MSU
SP – Kurt Wunderlich, MSU
RP – Scott Matyas, MINN

ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM
C – Adam Davis, ILL
1B – Josh Dezse, OSU
2B – Pete Cappetta, ILL
SS – Josh Parr, ILL
3B – Chris Lashmet, NU
OF – Patrick Biondi, MICH
OF – Michael O’Neill, MICH
OF – Tyler Spillner, PUR
DH – Paul Snieder, NU
SP – Jarred Hippen, IOWA
SP – Drew Rucinski, OSU
SP – Steven Hill, PSU
RP – Nick Wittgren, PUR

ALL-BIG TEN THIRD TEAM*
C – Tyson Blaser, IOWA
1B – Nick O’Shea, MINN
2B – Micah Johnson, IND
SS – Trevor Stevens, NU
3B – Cameron Perkins, PUR
OF – Willie Argo, ILL
OF – Casey McMurray, ILL
OF – Trevor Willis, IOWA
OF – Stephen Talbott, PUR
DH – Jared Hook, MSU
SP – Brandon Sinnery, MICH
SP – TJ Oakes, MINN
SP – John Walter, PSU
RP – Wes Braun, ILL
RP – Tony Wieber, MSU

ALL-BIG TEN FRESHMAN TEAM
C – Joel Fisher, MSU
1B – JOSH DEZSE, OSU
2B – KYLE RUCHIM, NU
SS – Thomas Lindauer, ILL
3B – DUSTIN DeMUTH, IND
OF – Taylor Zeutenhorst, IOWA
OF – MICHAEL O’NEILL, MICH
OF – Tim Wetzel, OSU
DH – Jack Livingston, NU
SP – JOEY DeNATO, IND
SP – David Garner, MSU
SP – GREG GREVE, OSU
RP – Ryan Halstead, IND

Unanimous honorees in ALL CAPS
* – Additional honorees due to tie

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES
Josh Parr, ILL
Brian Lambert, IND
Tyson Blaser, IOWA
Anthony Toth, MICH
Brandon Eckerle, MSU
Kyle Geason, MINN
Matt Gailey, NU
Theron Minium, OSU
Bobby Jacobs, PSU
David Blount, PUR

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jeff Holm, MSU

PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Kurt Wunderlich, MSU

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Josh Dezse, OSU

COACH OF THE YEAR
Jake Boss Jr., MSU

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!

Some quick thoughts on the series

Kevin Johnson put in his trademark hard luck game on Friday.  He only gave up two earned runs in seven innings and got the loss.  That’s his sixth loss on the year on just two wins.  Tough year.

On the other hand, John Anderson (left) won his sixth game on Saturday when the Illini defeated Purdue 7-4.  He also was a third of an inning away from getting his fifth complete game of the season.  Wes Braun came in and got his sixth save.  By the way, has anyone noticed Braun’s ERA lately?  It’s hovering under 0.60 right now.

Interestingly, every starter except batting leader Justin Parr got a hit on Saturday.  Let ‘em catch up, Justin.

Sunday’s game was quite a doozy.  It was a roller coaster affair with Illinois getting the quick 4-0 lead then Purdue eventually working to catch up to get the lead back by the fifth inning 5-4.    The ninth inning was key for Illinois.  A two out rally with base hits by Justin Parr, Pete Cappetta, and Brandon Hohl sandwiched around an error was enough to score two runs and win 7-5.

Chris Pack gets the deserved win in relief.  He went 4 2/3 scoreless innings allowing just two hits.  Pack also pitched a perfect inning in Friday’s loss.

Cappetta continues his Big Ten dominance.. he was 3 for 3 and had six hits for the weekend.

Random Ramblings

In case you hadn’t heard, U of I Athletic Director Ron Guenther is calling it quits after 19 years.

Chris Pack’s win on Sunday gives him a 5-1 record.  All of his games have been in relief but his five wins put him second on the team (behind Anderson’s six).  For that matter, Will Strack (who just has one start) is tied for third in wins with three.

Next Up

Our last regular season series of the year this weekend against Indiana.  Keep in mind that this “weekend” will start a day early on Thursday, May 19th.  Thursday’s game starts at 6:05pm.

Go Illini!

Davis Hendrickson takes a cut in Illinois’ 12-7 loss on Saturday

Illinois took a while to get their offense going on Saturday… too long it seems, as they lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes 12-7.

It almost looked liked Buckeye hurler Brett McKinney, who came into the game with just one win, was unhittable, literally.  McKinney had a no-hitter going into the seventh inning when Justin Parr laced a single into center field.  Parr was immediately erased on a double play but Casey McMurray followed that up with a double.  Any thought of a Buckeye shutout was gone when Matt Dittman doubled home McMurray.

Meanwhile, starter John Anderson (above, left) had troubles with the Ohio State lineup.  He got through the first inning in short order but the Buckeyes scored three runs apiece in the second and third innings giving them a quick 6-0 lead.  When they scored another in the fifth, Coach Hartleb brought in Lee Zerrusen (above, right).  Lee’s line doesn’t look good for the game (5 ER in 3 2/3 IP) but he actually stopped the bleeding and kept Ohio State scoreless until the eighth when they rallied for five more runs.  Bill Barrett came in for the last inning and a third and kept the Bucks from crossing the plate.

Down 12-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Illinois wasn’t about to give up.  Two doubles by McMurray and Pat Sheehan plus a single by Pete Cappetta made things interesting.  Add in a few walks plus a hit by pitch and wild pitch and the Illini managed to score five runs in the ninth to make the final score 12-7.

More of my photos from today are here.

Random Ramblings

Ok, we didn’t win the game but I think the ninth inning, five run explosion will do wonders for our momentum and outlook for Sunday’s game.

I hope everyone braved the rainstorm ok.  As a person who walks to the park, I actually left in the eighth inning (and missed the five run rally, darn).  I got hit by the drenching downpour while walking through Mt Hope Cemetery.  Fortunately, my office is on the other side of the cemetery and wouldn’t you know it, I had a spare shirt there.

Before I left though, I got a chance to talk to Craig Lutes (right) who was hanging out with former teammate Mike Giller.  Lutes is doing well and is an assistant coach at Normal High School.  Normal High is in town playing Centennial and Craig thought he’d watch a few of his old ‘mates.

Brandon Hohl was out of the lineup today due to being hit on the hand in yesterday’s game.  Near as I can tell, he’ll be out Sunday too.  Hohl’s bat will certainly be missed but we’re lucky to have capable replacements.  Thomas Lindauer (above) spelled Hohl at third base today and did some fancy glovework in the field.

Next up

Sunday is the last game against Ohio State.  Gametime is 1:05pm.