For the second time in three years, the top starting pitcher for the Illini will be kicked off the baseball team.  That’s right… Phil Haig.  The official reason given was that he was dismissed because of a “violation of team rules”. 

Here’s the official word from Coach Hartleb:

"We place great emphasis on conducting yourself in a way that represents our team and the university in a positive way and Phil did not fulfill his responsibilities," Hartleb said. "We will move forward as a team in our preparation for the 2010 season."

For the time being, “violation of team rules” is left up to speculation but it could be anything.  Former Illinois pitcher Tanner Roark was dismissed prior to the 2008 season due to academic reasons. 

I’ll say one thing about Coach Hartleb… he keeps his players honest and there’s no slacking off. 

In 2009, Haig led the Illini with 7 wins with a 4.92 ERA.

The Northwoods League, always a big client of the U of I, will see eight players from Illinois (Pete Cappetta, Nick Chmielewski, Brandon Wikoff, Phil Haig, Aaron Johnson, Willie Argo, Mike Giller and Corey Kimes) on four of their teams.

Matt Dittman and Doug Schumacher will travel north and play for the Lake Erie Monarchs which is in the Great Lakes Summer League.

Lee Zerrusen will carry the torch for the Illini as he pitches for the Fayetteville Swampdogs in the Coastal Plain League.  The Swampdogs have had a rich tradition of Illini playing for them including Shawn Roof, Ben Reeser and Aaron Martin.

Players will be as far west as Dan Parker playing for the Nevada Griffons in the M.I.N.K. League and Casey McMurray on the Santa Barbara Foresters in the California Collegiate League.  Wes Braun will be playing as far east as the Albany Dutchmen in the New York Collegiate Baseball League.

More locally, Adam Davis, Bryan Roberts and Will Strack will be on the DuPage Dragons in the Prospect League.  No doubt, they will be facing Josh Parr who is joining the Springfield Sliders.  Another league in the Chicago area, the Chicago Suburban Baseball League, will be hosting Bill Charvat.

Craig Lutes will be on the Lexington Snipes in the Eastern Illinois League.  I’ve actually been to a few EI League games last year.  It’ll be worth checking the schedule to see if I can catch Craig in action.

fightingillini.com has a handy web page that lists all the players and what teams they will be stationed at this summer including links to their team and league web pages.

The linescore pretty much says it all

After spotting Michigan State four runs on an Eric Roof grand slam in the 3rd inning, Illinois came back like they were possessed scoring sixteen unanswered runs.  MSU managed to put one more across for the final tally of 16-5.

Take away the grand slam and you could say starter Phil Haig (above, warming up on the sidelines) had a pretty excellent game.  He only allowed four hits in seven innings and the just the four runs driven in by Roof.

But the offense!  The Illini put together a five run rally in the fourth inning and liked it so much that they scored seven in the sixth.  Illinois’ sixteen runs today, by the way, were all scored without a homerun.  Now doubles, that’s another story.  Pete Cappetta (above) tied the Big Ten Tournament record for doubles in a game with three.  For the game, Cappetta was 4 for 5 with 3 doubles, 4 runs and three rbis.

Willie Argo trotting across home plate

Josh Parr was a big contributor in today’s game too.  Parr also went 4 for 5 and collected four rbis.

Box Score

A lot of damage was done against MSU’s Nolan Moody who pitched a no-hitter earlier in the season.  But the Spartans went through four pitchers in all today which doesn’t bode well for a team in a tournament format.

What does this all mean in the context of the tournament format?  For Michigan State, it means they enter the loser’s bracket and tomorrow will play Purdue (who later today lost against Indiana).  Whoever loses that game will be going home.

For Illinois, well, it’s always nice to win the first game and avoid the loser’s bracket (see above paragraph).  They will sit and watch baseball all day or do whatever gets them psyched for the evening when they take on Ohio State and Big Ten Co-Pitcher of the Year Alex Wimmers.  The good news is that Illinois has beaten Alex Wimmers earlier this year so no one should think they can’t do it again.

Here are photos from the first  game at the Big Ten Baseball Tournament.  For future reference, this link will be where I’ll put all my photos from the 2009 Big Ten Baseball Tournament.   Much more to come.

Way to go, Illini!!

	Game #49	Record: 32-16 (15-6 Big Ten)
	vs Purdue University Boilermakers	at Lambert Field, West Lafayette, IN
May 14	3:00pm CT
May 15	12:00pm CT
May 16	12:00pm CT

The Purdue-Illinois series will have double implications as both teams have a lot at stake.  Illinois, of course, is playing for first place and a top seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Purdue, however, is simply playing for tournament qualification. 

Right now, Purdue has a 1 1/2 game edge on Michigan (8-13).

Look out for junior Dan Black.  He’s a slugger.  I saw him play at the 2008 Big Ten Tournament and he had a big role in their wins there. 

Pitching seems to have been Purdue’s achilles heel in 2009 with a team 5.84 ERA and no pitcher that they can really call an ace though Matt Morgan is 5-4 with a respectable 4.32 ERA. 

Does anyone remember Phil Haig’s start against Purdue in 2008?  I do. Phil was a freshman and like this year, we were playing Purdue for the last regular season series of the season.  Haig pitched a two-hit shutout and it got him a lot of attention including Big Ten Co-pitcher of the Week.

Let’s do it again!

Go Illini!  Cool the Boilermakers!

This game ranks up there as one of the best baseball games I’ve ever seen considering what was at stake, how many were in attendance and what actually went down.  And in case the photo above doesn’t give it away, Illinois won.

With Alex Wimmers (above left) and Phil Haig (above right) on the mound for OSU and Illinois respectively, one would have expected a pitcher’s duel.  And that’s pretty much what we got for the first part of the game.  Wimmers kept the Illini hitless until the fifth when Dom Altobelli drew blood with a solo shot to right field. 

As for Phil Haig, he spotted the Buckeyes two runs, courtesy of a Michael Stephens home run.  After that, he pitched six scoreless innings. 

With the score 2-1 OSU in the top of the eighth, the Bucks added more to their lead.  Catcher Dan Burkhardt came through with a two-run dinger giving Ohio State a 3 run lead. 

Altobelli makes Illinois’ first hit off Wimmers count.  I like the look on the ump who is following the arc of  the ball.

Altobelli being congratulated by his teammates

Illinois managed to tighten the lead in the bottom of the eighth.  With runners on first and second, Altobelli singled in Casey McMurray.  Yes, that’s two hits for Altobelli, by the way, giving him 13 multi-hit games  in a row.

John Anderson gets the win.

John Anderson (above), who I think Hartleb is having more and more confidence in lately, came in the ninth and shut down door so that our offense could do their job. 

Down by two, bottom of the ninth, three outs to go.

By now, Illinois was facing Jake Hale who relieved Wimmers in the eighth.  Now, Wimmers is good but Hale ain’t  chopped liver either from what I hear. 

But with one out, Pete Cappetta coaxed a walk out of Hale.  Willie Argo reached base on a error on throwing error by the thirdbaseman.  With pinchhitter, Mike Giller up, a second error loaded the bases which brought up leadoff hitter Joe Bonadonna.

Bonadonna gets a key hit that tied the game

With a one-strike 1-2 count, Bonadonna ripped a hit to right scoring two which tied the game and the crowd at Illinois Field erupted into a thunderous applause. 

But the game wasn’t over yet.  With runners on first and third, it was Casey at the Bat.  Casey McMurray, that is.  McMurray drove a single again to right scoring scoring Giller. 

Illini wins!!!  Final Score is 5-4 in a comeback win.

Box Score

I’ve never seen Illinois Field in such a celebratory mood as it was tonight.  The fireworks they had planned for after the game were so appropriate. 

You can find lotsa photos at the Photo Gallery. 

Game 2 is tomorrow at 3:05pm at Illinois Field.  I hope to see there!

The Illini defeated the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Illinois Field by the score of 7-1 thanks in much part to the bat of thirdbaseman Dominic Altobelli (below left).

Altobelli slammed 2 homeruns (one to left-center, the other to right) for rbis.  His 3 for 4 night extended his hitting streak to 16 games.  More amazing, he now has 11 multi-hit games in a row. 

It was also nice to see Mike Giller (above right) in the lineup.  It was Giller’s second start of the season and he made the most of it.  As DH, went 2 for 3 with a double and 2 rbis.

Box Score

Joe Bonadonna and Pete Cappetta also had two hits in the game.

It was once again pitching by committee with six pitchers getting action.  Phil Haig started, got three quick outs, and was yanked.  Nice job Phil.  See you on Friday.

Will Strack took the reins and though he did give up the one run by Western, he got the win.  Freshman Strack is now 5-0 for the season. 

Western managed to peck away with five hits for the rest of the game but John Anderson (above), Lee Zerrusen, Nick Chmielewski (glad I have spell check for his name), and Aaron Martin kept the Leathernecks scoreless. 

I have few more photos in the Photo Gallery. 

Illinois captured the first game of the series against Northwestern and did with runs to spare, winning 10-2.  Willie Argo, who has been on a tear lately, once again hit a homerun for the good guys.  For the game, Argo was 2 for 4 with three rbis. 

Phil Haig pitched one heckuva game.  In a complete 9 inning affair, Haig allowed just six hits and no walks.  Only one of the Wildcat runs was earned.  This puts Haig at 5-2 for year. 

Northwestern did actually draw first blood, scoring a run in the bottom in the second.  But that didn’t last long as Argo’s solo shot in the top of the third tied it up.  One inning later, Aaron Johnson gave the Illini a lead with a 3-run homer.  In the sixth, Willie Argo continued his offensive barrage by driving in two runs with a single to center. 

With a 6-2 lead going into the 9th inning, the Illini were relentless, scoring four more runs.  This was partly in thanks to singles by Matt Dittman and Joe Bonadonna and a sac fly by Brandon Wikoff but a hit by pitch and a throwing error by NU’s thirdbaseman helped too. 

That’s certainly good news.  And in case you’re wondering, the game between Ohio State and Michigan has been postponed till tomorrow when they will play a doubleheader (come on sun!!), 

Tomorrow, the word is that Ben Reeser is still pitching.

Go Illini!!

It was another comeback win for the Illini against a Big Ten team.  They were down 3-0 in the top of the 5th when Argo’s triple keyed a 4-run rally putting them up for good.  Tonight’s win was the third comeback win in the last four Big Ten games that Illinois has played.

Aaron Johnson continues his hitting pace.  He was 2 for 4 with a homer, 2 runs and an rbi.  Dom Altobelli contributed with 2 hits as well.

Phil Haig gave up 11 hits but spread them out and only gave up three run in his seven innings he pitched tonight.  Kudos to the bullpen who kept the game safe.  Freshman Corey Kimes and Aaron Martin both pitched one scoreless inning each with Kimes striking out two batters.

With the number of Big Ten games on the schedule becoming less and less, each win means so much. Tomorrow, we won’t have Ben Reeser going for us, most likely due to his back.  Fortunately for Illinois, they have freshman Will Strack who’s done so well filling in all year.

Tomorrow’s game is at 3:35pm Central Time.

Go Illini!

Brandon Wikoff trots around the bases after hitting his 3rd homerun of the season

It was the best game of the season in my opinion.  For those that missed it, it’s too bad.  You missed a heckuva battle between the Illini and the Golden Gophers of Minnesota.

A couple facts about this game:

• Both teams got 17 hits
• Both starters gave up at least 8 runs
• Every Illini starter got at least one hit and at least run or rbi
• Three homers for the Illini!  (Aaron Johnson, Brandon Wikoff, and Dom Altobelli)

Tonight’s game was a game of tides.  With the score tied at one, the Gophers scored five unanswered runs.  Then it was the Illini’s turn.  Through the 4th, 5th and 6th, they scored 10 also unanswered runs to take the lead 11-6.

Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
Minnesota........... 011 400 400 - 10 17  2
Illinois............ 010 253 40X - 15 17  0
-------------------------------------------

Dom Altobelli was 3 for 5 with 5 rbis, 3 runs a double and a homerun

Minnesota took the momentum back and made the game a little interesting.  In the seventh, they scored four to bring the score to 11-10.  Illinois sealed the game in bottom of the inning by scoring four of their own thanks in part to Dominick Altobelli’s 3-run homerun to left.  Altobelli had a great night going 3 for 5 with 5 rbis and 3 runs with a double and the homerun, his 3rd of the year.

Final Score 15-10  Box Score

Joe Bonadonna fist bumps a youth while Pete Cappetta watches on

Speaking of great nights, centerfielder Joe Bonadonna did all right.  He was 4 for 5 with two runs.  Much has been made in the press about Bonadonna’s slow start and how he’s starting to turning it around.  Well, he’s still at it.   These four hits will help that average (for those wondering it’s above the .250 mark at .256).

Starter Phil Haig takes some practice on the sideline during a break in the action

Phil Haig probably wins the prize for most earned runs given up while getting a win.  He gave up 10 in 6 1/3.

I kid Phil.  Let me say this about him.  I love seeing how much he’s in the game even after he’s taken out.  He’s the first to welcome the defensive crew back into dugout after they’ve gotten the opposition out, encouraging the team.

Lee Zerrusen kept Minnesota scoreless for the final 2 1/3 innings

Finally, I want to say “nice job, Lee Zerrusen!!!”  For 2 1/3 innings, he kept Minnesota at bay, allowing only two hits getting the save (his first).

One down two to go.  Tomorrow’s game is scheduled at 3:05.

Oh, more photos (a whole bunch, actually) at the Photo Gallery

Go Illini!!

Update:  Sunday’s game has been moved up as part of a doubleheader today.  Gametime is 1pm. 

But wow, what a comeback!  Behind the offensive efforts of Joe Bonadonna (3 for 5, 2B, 4 rbis, and a run), Dom Altobelli who had key 2 run double and Matt Dittman (wow, he’s coming on lately) who went 2 for 3 with a homer and 2 rbis, Illinois came back with a vengeance.  They scored three in fourth, two in the fifth, and a whopping 5 the sixth to win the game 10-8.

Reliever Lee Zerrusen got the win and Will Strack got the save.  Ben Reeser came out after one inning.  Seeing that I’m out of town and couldn’t listen to the show, I called Mike Altobelli (Dom’s father) to get more info.  Mike, who went to Ann Arbor for the games,  says it’s Reeser’s back that’s giving him trouble.  He’s had that problem in the past.

He said Zerrusen did a good job shutting UM down.  When Zerrusen ran out of gas, Will Strack came in and REALLY shut them down (two hits and no runs in 2 2/3 innings).  Mike lauded the offensive effort by the boys that really seem to come out of nowhere.

Great game by the Illini!!

A quick word about Friday’s game.

It’s really too bad we lost that game.  Phil Haig seemed to pitch pretty decent and it looks like he’s coming out of his funk.  His control was a bit off (5 walks) but overall he seemed to gain momentum after that second inning.

I was heartened that we were able to come back and tie the game at 2-2 (once again, Matt Dittman with a 2-run double… whatever you guys are telling him or doing to him, DON’T STOP!).  Alas, that was all we could come up with.

Then there’s tomorrow.  Bryan Roberts is due to pitch the last I heard.  Let’s win two this weekend!