ex-Illini News from the Bush Leagues

A few former Illini baseball players have been making noise in the minors in the past few days… Brandon Wikoff hit his second homerun in as many days last Wednesday.  Unfortunately, it was in a losing cause as his AA Corpus Christi Hooks lost 3-2.  But Brandon’s effort’s were rewarded with a leading photo of [...]

ex-Illini Shaw claims American Association Pitcher of the Week award

Former Illini hurler Scott Shaw was named American Association Pitcher of the Week on Monday.  Shaw, who pitches for the Gary SouthShore RailCats (he’s teammate of another former Illini Mike Rohde), not only threw a three-hit shutout but did it against the reigning league champion Shreveport-Bossier Captains. For the year, Shaw has done well.  He [...]

Purdue on the schedule for the Illini this weekend

Justin Parr is hitting .346 and an even tastier .486 against Big Ten teams This coming weekend, the Illini will be making their last road trip of the year… not including the Big Ten Tournament, of course.  They will be traveling to West Lafayette, Indiana to play the offense-laden Purdue Boilermakers. It’s certainly a key [...]

Post weekend wrap-up: things are looking up

Casey McMurray leads the Illini in hitting (.391) and rbis (7) Sunday’s 5-1 loss to Florida Gulf Coast was a little disappointing but overall the Illini baseball should feel good about their 2-1 series against the Eagles.  According to the team press, this was the first time Illinois has won a series win against a [...]

Summer plans for the Illini

The Illinois baseball players don’t get much of a break after the college season is over.  A few days after it’s over they travel to their college summer teams to hone their skills.  This year, twenty-one Illinois players will be playing in these summer leagues. For the most part our players are joining many of [...]

Illinois posts just one win against Hawkeyes

It was a rather disappointing weekend for the Illini who won just one against Iowa.  A sweep wasn’t out of the question for me.  The offense only generated six runs in the last two games and generally in college games that’s not enough.  Ironically, the one game when Illinois gave up the most runs, eight [...]

Overdue report from the bush leagues

Catching up on some long overdue news regarding Illini players who’ve gone on to the wild blue yonder otherwise known as the minor leagues: Scott Shaw, who was drafted by the New York Mets in the 2008 draft, had a pretty awesome 2009 for the Port St Lucie Mets.  Shaw led the Mets in many [...]

Four birthdays

Shawn Roof It’s Birthday time for Illini baseball players!  Today, on August 3, four former Illini will celebrate birthdays.  Happy Birthday to Ryan Hastings, Ty Milner, Shawn Roof and Scott Shaw.  Milner and Shaw were even born on the exact day.  So if you know any of these guys, wish them a good one!! Share [...]

Scott Shaw CG’s Lakeland in Florida State League

Former Illini Scott Shaw gave his St Lucie Mets a needed boost Saturday.  Not only are the his Class A Affiliate Mets languishing in last place in the Florida State League but they were coming off a five game losing streak.  Shaw responded by pitching a complete game win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers (FYI.. [...]

U of I 2008 draftees beginning to make their mark

Hudson off to a good start with the Aberdeen Ironbirds The 2008 Illini draftees have made a good impression so far in the minors. If the first couple weeks are any indication, they are in the pros for a while. Former Illini and All-Big Ten centerfielder Kyle Hudson is at the Orioles’ A farm team [...]