Category: 2007 Big Ten Tournament

My final thoughts on the Big Ten Tournament

Shawn Roof and me

Let me first say I had a fantastic time. This was my second Big Ten Tournament and the first time I’ve traveled to see the Illini baseball team play.

Every Illinois fan wishes they could have won the tournament but all things considered, I thought they played well. They were able to defeat a tough Iowa team in the first round and stay around for that much longer (hey, longer than #1 seed Michigan).

It was good to finally meet Brian DeCaussin in person. He and I have been in contact all year via email and phone. I’ve already said enough good things about his web site Big Ten Hardball so I won’t belabor the point. Just check it out.

It was definitely a highlight to meet so many parents of the Illini players. I was honored when some of them knew of The Baseball Zealot and enjoy the postings and pictures. Lars Davis’ mom says that between Big Ten Hardball and The Baseball Zealot, it’s the only way she gets news about her son because, “Lars doesn’t tell me anything.”

Well, he doesn’t tell me anything either but I try to get some good pictures of him in action when I can.

All in all, it was good to be around good baseball. The one thing I like about college baseball is the intimacy of the ballparks. I don’t see a game from the nosebleed section. Rather, I can see it from up close and I can hear it. Sometimes I can even smell it. Note: The Ohio State Buckeyes wore their unwashed jerseys on Sunday, perhaps for luck. I’m sure I could have smelled it then.

Anyway, I’m sold. When the Illini make the tournament in 2008, I’ll be there.

By the way, thanks to Shawn for taking the time to pose in the picture with me. It was 20 minutes after their loss and they were all headed out on the bus. I’m sure he had other things to do and other things (like the loss) on his mind but he took the time. It meant a lot.

Ohio State Buckeyes champion of Big Ten Tournament

Some years, the Big Ten tournament champion is determined by Saturday night. In this strange year of one tough team in the loser’s bracket plus dealing with Mother Nature rearing her ugly head, three teams were still in the mix on Sunday morning.

Unfortunately, I was on my way home on the train. Thanks to Brian DeCaussin from Big Ten Hardball who phoned me while I was headed home with the results.

Picking up where we left off Saturday, Minnesota and Penn State continued their suspended game from the afternoon before. Minnesota had just given up the lead before the suspension was called and PSU had the advantage 3-2. The Golden Gophers came ready to play and tied the game in the ninth. Two innings later, they scored the winning run on a rbi double by Jeremy Chlan.

Chlan pinch hit in the ninth and sacrificed the tying run to second and stayed in the game, by the way. Funny how those things, work out.

Minnesota wins 4-3

That eliminated Penn State. I’m sure there were a lot of fervent PSU fans out there who were probably very heartbroken. And I got to give the Penn State team a lot of credit. They had a lot of heart losing their very first game then coming this far.

That said, Minnesota and Ohio State had a championship game to play. Ohio State was playing for the Tournament title and Minnesota was simply playing for the right to play Ohio State again.

By this time, there was another rain delay. Once they got started, it was 2:25. Ohio State had better win or they be playing till midnight.

Actually, that was exactly what happened. All the fears (on both sides) of depleted pitching were for naught as Cory Luebke came on for the Buckeyes and pitched brilliantly allowing only 2 runs in 7 innings.

If it were any other day, Gary Perinar’s performance would be pretty good, too. He allowed 3 runs on 7 innings. But dang if that one extra run made the difference.

Minnesota came back to tie the game after the Buckeyes scored two in the first. It wasn’t till the eighth when the Gophers put together a rally consisting of two singles and a double. The Buckeyes didn’t sit quietly. With two on, pinch hitter Michael Arp hit a double that broought both runners home.

Buckeyes win 4-2.

Ohio State win the Big Ten Tournament!

Sports Columnist enjoying the Tournament

During today’s Penn State-Minnesota game at the Big Ten baseball tournament, I saw someone who looked very familiar. I nudged Brian from Big Ten Hardball, who was sitting next to me and said, “Isn’t that Jon Saraceno from USA Today? It sure looks like him.”

We discussed it and decided that no, it couldn’t be. USA Today wouldn’t be sending someone as big as Saraceno to cover something like the Big Ten Tournament. So I dismissed it.

Later we found out that indeed, it was him. He was there to watch his son who plays on the Penn State baseball team. So I decided to go over and talk to him.

I’m glad I did. He seemed like a really friendly guy. His son is the backup catcher on the Nittany Lions and he pointed him out. He noticed my Illini hat and noted that his wife was a University of Illinois grad,

A few jokes about USA Today not sending him to cover the tournament and then I asked if I could take his picture. He graciously said yes.

Thanks, Jon!

The Big Ten Tournament with no Illini: It’s just not as fun

Well, with the Illini gone, I decided to stick around and watch some ball ANYWAY.

Penn State who lost their very first game against the Buckeyes, have played with heart and have hung on, winning against Iowa, Michigan and yes, Illinois. Minnesota, on the other hand, have just come off a tough loss against the Buckeyes last night.

Big Ten officials and the managers decide to postpone game one half hour

Mother Nature seemed bound and determine to have something to say about the game, though The game was delayed for a half hour because it was sprinkling a little. The game got on (it was still raining) by 4:00.

Penn State scored first in the 3rd inning

It didn’t seem to be a high scoring affair. PSU tallied a run in the 3rd on a double and a hit. The Golden Gophers came back with two in the 4th with 3 hits and help from a PSU error. In the 7th, a walk and 3 singles, scored two for the Nittany Lions putting them up 3-2.

All this while, the rain kept coming. It was really only heavy sprinkle but by the bottom of the 7th, they delayed the game. I decided that was enough for me and I went back to the hotel.

Looking at Gametracker, it still shows the same score as when I left. I’m not sure what they decided to do yet. Remember, they were SUPPOSED to play another game tonight. The winner of this game was to play Ohio State. Given the weather, I doubt that’s going to happen.

I wonder what would have happened if they had started on time. The delay didn’t seem to serve any purpose other than push the game back. Maybe they could have gotten a few more innings in.

Penn State catcher Joe Blackburn

On a side note, I was lucky to meet the parents of Joe Blackburn. They seem like really nice people. Blackburn, a senior catcher for PSU, batted .366 in 52 games and has a helluva ‘do.

Update: From the Big Ten Tournament web page, it looks like the game was suspended to be continued tomorrow as is the Ohio State vs. Game 9 winner game.

Sunday, May 27
Game 9 — Penn State 3, Minnesota 2 (suspended in 7th) 10 a.m. Gametracker

Game 10 — #6 Ohio State vs. Game 9 winner, 12:05 p.m. Gametracker
Game 11 (if necessary) — Game 10 winner vs. Game 10 loser, 30 minutes following the finish of Game 10

It will be a very busy day on Sunday indeed.

Oh, I almost forgot.. here are some photos I took today.

Penn State rally in 8th ends Illini’s season

The Penn State Nittany Lions had just come off a 10th inning victory off Michigan. One half hour later they played Illinois for another elimination game. That’s the thing about losing your first game in the Big Ten Tournament… every game you play, you’re playing for your tournament life.

Scott Shaw allowed only 3 hits in 7 IP

Scott Shaw was the starting pitcher for Illinois. When Shaw is on his game, he’s a pretty dang good pitcher. And quite honestly, he looked really good Friday. He was fooling hitters and more importantly, keeping them off the basepaths (3 hits and 1 BB in 7 IP).

High fives all around as Lars Davis scores in the 6th inning

Penn State drew first blood in the second scoring a run on a Mike Deese single. It was goose eggs for both teams till the fifth when the Illini put together hits by Brandon Wikoff, Lars Davis, Daniel Webb, and Ryan Hastings. That pushed a pair across, giving the good guys the lead.

In the 8th, all hell broke loose. Shaw who until this time was still going strong, led the inning off with a walk. A throwing error put runners on first and second with no outs. Coach Hartleb then made the call to Jake Toohey.

RF Nick Stockwell under the telling scoreboard

Four hits and one more error later, Penn State had scored 5 runs and put the score at 6-2, the final score.

Penn State’s Matt Ogrodnik who pitched a nearly perfect 3 2/3 innings (just one hit) got the win. Scott Shaw (2 ER in 7 IP and 5 K) who in my opinion pitched quite well, got the loss.

Said Coach Hartleb after the game:

“This is a tough way to end the season, but we have a lot to build on. The older guys on this team have put us in a very favorable position for the coming years, and I really like the young players we have on this team. Our top three starting pitchers have a chance to be very, very good next year.”

For the record, this is the farthest the Illini have gone in the Big Ten Tournament since 2001.

Some photos I took before and during the game are here. Not so much after.

Penn St chases away rainy day Blues

Rather than sit under the overhang, this guy decided to wear the rain slicker

In my last post yesterday, I mentioned that I noticed a few drops falling from the Ann Arbor sky. Well, that turned into a steady sprinkle that lasted for a couple hours.

That didn’t stop the first game of the scheduled tournament game, Michigan versus Penn State. Michigan who had just lost to Ohio State the night before, was fighting to stay in the tournament. So was Penn State but they were coming off a win against Iowa.

Cory Wine had a big day at the plate

Penn State struck early with two runs in the first but the Wolverines tied it up in the fourth. In the fifth, Cory Wine hit his second triple of the tournament driving home 2 runs. Another Penn State run in the sixth made it 5-2. It was zeroes till the ninth and Penn State seemed to have it wrapped up.

But in the ninth, 4 hits and an error by Michigan against PSU’s top closer, Drew O’Neil, and scored 3 runs to knot the game up 5-5.

With two outs in the tenth, Cory Wine (the coach’s son, by the way) stepped to the plate again. He hit a solo shot to right to break the tie. O’Neil came back in the bottom of the 10th and retired Michigan with little problem.

Penn State defeats Michigan 6-5.

Photos I took of the game here

More sights and observations from the Big Ten Tournament

Thanks to Brian DeCaussin from Big Ten Hardball for taking this photo of me in front of the field at Ray Fisher stadium at the University of Michigan. The stadium is great and the staff here have been very friendly and helpful. Special thanks goes to the lady in the Big Ten Conference T-shirt booth who looked out for me and yelled for me when they finally got the XXL shirts in.

As you can see, the wind on Thursday was sometimes fierce. At times, it would play havoc with fly balls (I saw at least two “easy” fly balls misplayed because the wind took a hold of it). And a couple hits that I thought were goners were pushed back in flyouts.

While watching the Iowa-Penn State game, a couple Minnesota coaches came and sat near us. Brian DeCaussin, who knows everything about Big Ten baseball, told me they were a couple of the assistant coaches.

Remember guys, no spitting in the stands.

I did a double take when I saw a Wisconsin shirt at Ray Fisher stadium. Not that Wisconsin didn’t make the tournament, the Badgers don’t even have a baseball team. I think he was with the Illini crowd though. His son had an Illini cap.

It’s 11:00am and I just stepped outside the cafe (thank you, Artisan Bistro… my wireless crapped out at my hotel and you came through) and I felt a few drops.

Up till now, it’s been fantastic weather if you don’t mind the heat. The breeze does help though unless you’re an outfielder or power hitter (see above). Bit of Big Ten tournament trivia from my program. Minnesota was declared champion in 1993 with a 2-0 record when the last games were rained out. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen here.

Go Illini!

The Big Ten Tournament says goodbye to Iowa

Thursday, Penn State defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 5-3 kicking them out of the tournament.

Iowa had a 3-0 in the 4th inning. As I walked by Ray, an Iowa fan Brian DeCaussin introduced me to, I said something like, “Iowa’s doin’ all right.”. Without a beat, he said, “Just wait, I’ve seen too many Iowa games to get comfortable with this kind of lead.”

The Penn State rally scores three to tie in the 4th inning

Just two minutes later, Penn State had scored two runs on a Cory Wine triple. Two more minutes later, they scored another. Penn State scored two more in the 7th to take the lead for good.

Sorry, Ray.

Dusty Napoleon

By the way, Iowa’s firstbaseman is junior Dusty Napoleon. Central Illinois folks might recognize Napoleon because he played for the Danville Dans. An added bonus… he also plays catcher.

Photos I took of Penn State-Iowa game here

Illinois tagged by the Gophers

Thursday, Illinois entered the loser’s bracket at the Big Ten Tournament as they lost to the Minnesota Golden Gophers 10-3.

Starter Mike Stankiewicz

The Gophers got to starter Mike Stankiewicz early as they hit him for 5 runs in the first inning and four runs before he got his first out. Brian Long replaced Stanky in the second but didn’t fare much better as he gave up 5 runs in 4 innings.

Down 10-0, the Illini did manage to make it interesting by scoring 3 runs in the 7th prompting a Minnesota call to the bullpen. To make things more intriguing, the bases were loaded with Lars Davis up. But no one can expect even Lars Davis to be the hero in EVERY game. Davis hit a deep fly out to center.

Ben Reeser

On the positive side, relievers Ben Reeser and Kevin Manson did a fine job once the damage was done. Combined they allowed no runs and two hits in 3 innings. Brandon Wikoff and Mike Rohde both had two hits.

All in all though, it was not a fun game. Down by seven by the second inning makes it really difficult. I kept thinking back to last Sunday thinking anything could happen. Well, it didn’t.

Some frustrated Illini after the Minnesota game.

The good news is that the tournament is double elimination where you get a second chance. The Illini next play Friday night at It isn’t clear. Ohio State upset Michigan Thursday night 4-2. That means the Buckeyes continue on in the Winners’ bracket. Michigan will play Penn State this afternoon and right after that, the winner will play Illinois. Both of those games are elimination games.

It’s hard to believe that #1 seed Michigan is fighting for their lives already.

My photos of the Illinois-Minnesota game are here.

Go Illini!!

Followup: I just wanted to add this… should #1 seed Michigan defeat Penn State, the Illini will remember that they DID win 2 games against them during the regular season. So do I wish for a Michigan matchup??? umm… maybe not. But it’s something to think about.

Things I see and people I meet at the Big Ten Tournament

Ray Fisher stadium, home of the University of Michigan baseball team, seems like a pretty decent facility. I (and at least one other person who I gave directions to) had a little problem finding the place partially because of all the construction going on and because I got some bad advice from a bus driver.

The construction is going on because they are renovating the Fisher stadium. Due date for completion is Winter of 2008. I like seeing money being thrown at this. It shows they are serious about the baseball (and softball) program. You can see the sign (and can actually read it) here.

There had to be at least 10-12 guys with pitching radar guns sitting behind homeplate. Like Pavlov’s dog, every time a pitcher go into his windup, uuuuppp go all of their radar guns in unison. I’m curious how many of them were legitimate baseball staff or scouts and how many were gadget freaks…

…not that there’s anything wrong with that.

I finally get to meet Brian DeCaussin from Big Ten Hardball. He and I have been in contact all season and he even did us an interview for Baseball Zealot Radio. I don’t think there is anyone who knows Big Ten baseball inside and out better than he does. We sat and watched the Illinois game in the “neutral” section. If any of you want some good info on Big Ten baseball,
check out Big Ten Hardball.

Finally, as I was talking to Mike Rohde, this gentleman comes up to me and says “Are you the Zealot? The guy posting all the pictures?” I told him I was. He told me he was Ryan Hastings’ father, Bryan and that he really appreciated seeing them. I asked if he had seen the nice one of Ryan signing autographs for the kids between games last weekend (it’s a good one). He said he hadn’t but he’ll get his wife to get online to check it out.

Well, Mrs. Hastings, I’ll make it easy for you, here it is…

…but to stay on topic how ’bout one of Ryan after scoring a run today?

Let’s get the Gophers tomorrow!