Playing for the Madison Mallards, Willie Argo drove in six runs and Justin Parr got five hits. The Mallards won 16-3 over the Waterloo Bucks.  For the record, Argo was 2 for 4 with two homeruns and six rbis.  Parr was 5 for 6 with 3 runs scored and two doubles.  Here’s a look at the tasty boxscore.

That effort was good enough to warrant Northwoods League Players of the Night.

The two homeruns for Argo were his first two of the summer.  He’s hitting .385 for the year.  Parr’s five hits brought his batting average up to .306.

It’s worth mentioning that Illini teammate Thomas Lindauer who plays for the opposing Waterloo team, went 2 for 5 in the same game.  Lindauer is playing 2B for the Bucks.  Bucks CF Davis Hendrickson had an ohfer night last night but don’t feel too bad for him… he’s hitting .375 for Waterloo this season.

The Mallards are now tied for first place with the Eau Claire Express with a 13-7 record.  Waterloo is two games behind them.

Congrats to Willie and Justin and good luck to them all!

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??

Willie Argo
Position	Outfielder
Round/Overall Pick	43rd/1,292
MLB Team	Pittsburgh Pirates

The 2011 draft class marks the most Illini chosen in the MLB draft since 2005 and third overall since the draft was instituted.

Congrats to Willie and the rest of the 2011 Illini draftees!!

Meanwhile, the Big Ten All-Tournament Team has been announced.  No surprise here.. The Illini did pretty well.

Starters John Anderson and Corey Kimes were named for their respective outstanding performances.  Catcher Adam Davis who besides doing a fine job behind the plate, went 5 for 13 with 3 doubles.  Center fielder Willie Argo got 5 hits and stole four bases.  I’ve already talked about Justin Parr’s qualifications for the All-Tournament team.  I’m glad he was chosen. He ended up 6 for 14 and scored three  times.

But Matt Dittman, rumor has it he’s pretty popular now with Illinois baseball fans.  Both of his hits were homeruns and one of them was a grand slam against Michigan State for a total of five rbis.  And don’t forget, though Dittman (right) didn’t get a hit in the wild Ohio State game, he scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, too.

Who did they leave off?  If I could place one more Illini player on the team, who would it be?  Well, it would be hard to displace Minnesota’s AJ Pettersen but Josh Parr had an excellent tournament at shortstop making some excellent plays. He went 4 for 13 and drove in three runs and scored two.  He might have been my choice.

Here is the complete All-Tournament Team

2011 Big Ten Baseball All-Tournament Team

P – John Anderson, ILL
P – Corey Kimes, ILL
P – Kurt Wunderlich, MSU
P – Tom Windle, MINN
C – Adam Davis, ILL
1B – Matt Dittman, ILL
2B – Matt Puhl, MINN
3B – Torsten Boss, MSU
SS – AJ Pettersen, MINN
OF – Willie Argo, ILL
OF – Justin Gominsky, MINN
OF – Brian DeLucia, OSU
OF – Tyler Spillner, PUR
DH – Justin Parr, ILL

Congratulations to John, Corey, Adam, Matt, Willie and Justin!!!

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

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

Looking at the box score, it appears like it was all Illinois as they defeated Ohio State 11-5 for the series.  It was the third 2-1 weekend in a row for the Illini and puts them at 10-8 in the Big Ten.  That puts them in a three way tie for third place with Ohio State and Purdue.  Right now, Michigan State (13-5)and Minnesota (11-7) are the teams to beat.

Corey Kimes (right) pitched a great game on Sunday.  Not to take anything away from anyone else but he was the only starter this weekend to get off relatively unscathed.  Kimes pitched a full seven frames and allowed only five hits and three runs.  Chris Pack got some more work in and finished the game off and while gave up two runs, none were earned.

As for the offense, where do you start?  Six of the nine starters had multi-hit games and two (Justin Parr and Davis Hendrickson) hit safely 3 times.  Willie Argo drove home four runs.  Casey McMurray scored twice without even getting a hit.

According to the fightingillini.com recap, this weekend’s totals of 31 runs and 43 hits by the Illini offense were season’s highs.

Random Ramblings

It looks like former Illini hurler Phil Haig will be playing with (and against) some of our guys this summer.  He’ll be joining the Rochester Honkers of the Northwest League.

Looking forward, keep in mind that the last series of the season will be a bit different schedule-wise.  The Indiana home series will start on a Thursday (May 19th) and will continue till Saturday.

Next up

Right now, there are no midweek games on the schedule.  That means we’re looking at Purdue this coming weekend at West Lafayette.  Friday’s game time is 3:05pm.

I really hope you came to the park last night.  If you missed Illinois’ exciting 13-9 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes, you missed, in my guess, one of the best games of past few years.  It ranks up their with our win against the same Ohio State team two years ago and even the famed Michigan State game of 2007 (if you ever want to read up on that just do a search on this site using the keyword “Woo hoo”).

When Ohio State scored four run in the top of the first inning, it looked like it might be one those games.  But when the Illini came back in the bottom of the first and scored three of their own, it looked more like it would be one of THOSE games.  And you know what I mean.

Adam Davis beats the throw to home and scores in the second inning.

It wasn’t until the top of the fourth inning when a team held the other scoreless.  By then, Ohio State had the lead, 9-7.  Each time Ohio State managed to put runs on the board, Illinois followed suit, keeping close enough.  The irony of it was that from Kevin Johnson’s perspective, he was getting rocked hard but the offense was really coming through for him.

Four Innings

Johnson was done after 2 2/3 innings and Will Strack (above) took over for him.  There are many heroes for this game but Will is a big one.  After the Buckeyes scored 9 runs in three innings, we didn’t know what was in store.  Will Strack came in for four innings and shut down the Buckeyes on two hits.  Those nine runs would be all that the Buckeyes would score for the game.  Chris Pack and Wes Braun finished off the game with a combined 2 1/3 innings of scoreless and hitless ball.

Four Runs

Pete Cappetta drives home two runs in the sixth inning.

Before the game, I shook Pete Cappetta’s hand and told him “You’re going to win this game”.  All he said was “Yes we will, sir”.  It’s almost like he took it as a direct order.  It was his two-run basehit that put Illinois up for good in the key sixth inning.  The Fighting Illini scored four runs that inning off of new Buckeyes pitcher Jared Strayer who relieved starter Drew Rucinski.  Strayer began the inning by hitting Adam Davis then giving up a double to Brandon Hohl.  Casey McMurray and Willie Argo both singled.  Argo’s single tied game.  Josh Parr walk which set up Cappetta’s two-run single.

Every starter in the lineup had at least one hit and at least one rbi or run scored.  Justin Parr, Brandon Hohl and Casey McMurray all had three hits apiece. Parr and McMurray drove in three and Adam Davis scored three.

The Illini faithful stand for the last out.

There were 2019 people in attendance last night.  It’s by far the largest crowd this year but I don’t think it surpasses the crowd we had two years ago.

There are lots more of my photos here.

Oh one more photo… I particularly enjoy this one.

Here, Davis Hendrickson is running out an infield hit.  What makes it for me is the fan in the background calling him safe.  He’s right, of course.

Next up:

Weather-permitting, Illinois takes on the Buckeyes again today at 3:05 at Illinois Field.

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.

Kelly Norris-Jones chats with Dugout Club rep John Santas before the game

The first EIU batters hit safely in tonight’s game and it was 4-0 before Illinois got someone out.  It didn’t get much better as Eastern won in a 10-2 wipeout.

Justin Parr heads in to third

But let’s give Justin Parr some credit.  He went 2 for 2 with a walk though there wasn’t anyone to drive him home.  One of Illini’s runs came on a third-inning bases-loaded Willie Argo walk.  Unfortunately, the rally stopped there.

Illinois used a total of seven pitchers, not that uncommon in these midweek games.  Once Eastern got their scoring out of their system, the last five did pretty well giving up just one run in 5 2/3 innings.

It was my pleasure to introduce myself to Tom Shelton (above).  I’ve mentioned this before but Shelton is student in the building where I work (though I haven’t run into him yet).  As with almost all other Illinois baseball players that I’ve had a chance to meet, he carries himself with dignity and politeness.  And as Dugout Club representative John Santas said regarding Shelton’s recent appearance in the media, the Illini coaches don’t cringe when the mic is put in front of him.  He handles himself as well as he does with the bat.

Good to meet you. Thomas!

More photos from the game are here.

Next up

Michigan State comes to town this weekend.  The big question is if the weather will permit all the games.  Assuming it does, Friday’s game time is 6:05pm.