Category: University of Illinois Baseball

Illini Drop 3 of 4 Against the Hawkeyes

Illinois had a tough weekend. Despite winning the series opener on Friday, the Illini lost the remaining three games of the series against the Hawkeyes. That’s not to say that the Illini didn’t score runs. Sunday’s game score was 17-12 and the Illini actually had the lead up until the fifth inning. Illinois pitchers did … Continue reading “Illini Drop 3 of 4 Against the Hawkeyes”

Illinois had a tough weekend.

Despite winning the series opener on Friday, the Illini lost the remaining three games of the series against the Hawkeyes. That’s not to say that the Illini didn’t score runs. Sunday’s game score was 17-12 and the Illini actually had the lead up until the fifth inning.

Illinois pitchers did suffer during the weekend. After another solid performance by Tanner Roark Friday (1 run in 7 innings), the staff gave up 10, 10, and 17 runs respectively for the series.

The weekend puts Illinois dead even for the year, 17-17 overall and 7-7 conference.

Coming up: Illinois has six home games in a row. Tuesday (Eastern Illinois) and Wednesday (Blackburn) are non-conference games and Minnesota comes into town for the weekend.

Mark your calendar… Illini Baseball adding some Wednesday Games

The University of Illinois baseball team has added 3 games to the schedule to make up for games canceled for inclement weather. The first was this past Wednesday’s game and it was pretty sparsely attended. Additional Games 4/18 // Robert Morris // 6 p.m. 4/25 // Blackburn // 6:30 p.m. 5/2 // Greenville College // … Continue reading “Mark your calendar… Illini Baseball adding some Wednesday Games”

calendar

The University of Illinois baseball team has added 3 games to the schedule to make up for games canceled for inclement weather.

The first was this past Wednesday’s game and it was pretty sparsely attended.

Additional Games
4/18 // Robert Morris // 6 p.m.
4/25 // Blackburn // 6:30 p.m.
5/2 // Greenville College // 6 p.m.

So get the word out. They are on the Fighting Illini web site but not on any schedule printed earlier in the year.

Roof gets the run the Illini need against Robert Morris

Last night I went to the University of Illinois baseball game against Robert Morris with my friends Brando and Shawn.

Shawn Roof took some time to chat with us about ball and bat physics

Before the game, Brando and I went down to the left field fence to watch the guys warm up. Shawn Roof gave a wave and came on over. He shook our hands and chatted with us for a few minutes. I congratulated him on their big 18-4 win over Illinois State. He seemed pretty pumped about that. I asked if Robert Morris was going to be an easy win. He shook his head saying they’re taking every game seriously and Robert Morris would definitely not be a “cakewalk”.

Roof also mentioned my blog post about Ryan Hastings heating his bat over the space heater during the cold days. He says their IS a reason for doing this. Doing this, he says, affects how the ball comes off the bat when it is hit. Hmm.. the more you know.

Thanks to Shawn for taking a few minutes of his time before the game. As for Robert Morris not being a “cakewalk”, no truer words were spoken as last night’s game was a hard fought battle.

The Illini took a quick one run lead in the bottom of the 3rd and never relinquished it but Robert Morris kept scoring to make it close. By the end of six, it was 3-2 good guys but RM scored a run in the top of the seventh to tie it 3-3.

Five Pitches. One Run. Without a Ball Being Hit.

Shawn Roof led off the bottom of the 8th. Robert Morris pitcher Chris Murchek plunked Roof in the upper arm and Roof took his base. I leaned over to Brando and said, “Here he goes!”. And Roof stole second on the first pitch. Brando and I wondered to each other will batter Ryan Hastings bunt in this situation? In a lot of situations, it would make sense but Hastings has been good with the stick so I didn’t think he would. Hastings didn’t square for the next pitch, he took it for a strike.

The next pitch, though, he squared for the bunt and the thirdbaseman rushed to cover for the bunt. The key here is that the shortstop didn’t cover third and Roof was banking on that. He stole third easily.

The very next pitch Murchek threw a wild pitch and Roof scored what proved to be the winning run.

Nice hustle by Roof! And give a little credit to Hastings for the faux bunt to draw the thirdbaseman away from the base.

Brian Long came in to pitch a perfect 9th for the save.

Joe Mercurio made the most of his start at catcher

Other highlights: Lars Davis was DH last night which meant New York freshman Joe Mercurio donned the tools of ignorance. It seems to me, whenever Merc gets the chance to play, he makes the most of it. He was 2 for 4 with a double, run and a rbi.

Dom Altobelli (left) goofing off before the game. He got serious when it came to playing the hot corner.

Dom Altobelli was playing thirdbase. He had a hit and a run but he really impressed me with his defense. One grounder in particular that I had given up on he somehow came up with and whipped over to firstbaseman Mike Rohde for the out. He also snared a line drive which could have easily gone for extras.

Here are the photos I took during the game.

Coming up: The Illini are heading to Iowa for a weekend series.

Wishing our blog a Happy B-day the best way possible

As Teddy Ballgame already mentioned, two years ago today I started The Baseball Zealot with its introductory post as well as its very first Linescore of the Day, Zack Greinke. Thanks for the note, Teddy. I was thinking the best way for TBZ to celebrate was for the Illini AND the Cubs to win. Boy, … Continue reading “Wishing our blog a Happy B-day the best way possible”

As Teddy Ballgame already mentioned, two years ago today I started The Baseball Zealot with its introductory post as well as its very first Linescore of the Day, Zack Greinke. Thanks for the note, Teddy.

I was thinking the best way for TBZ to celebrate was for the Illini AND the Cubs to win. Boy, did they ever. Let’s start with the Cubs.

Aside from some control problems early, Rich Hill was simply nasty. He didn’t allow a run in seven innings. Probably just as important, the bullpen didn’t blow it. The Reds’ bats were cold and the Cubs shut them out 7-0.

But the Illini!! Wow! They didn’t win a game. They won two! They swept the Northwestern Wildcats today.

stanky

Mike Stankiewicz

In Game 1, Mike Stankiewicz threw a one-hit shutout, striking out seven. Mike Rohde’s rbi single in the 6th was all Stanky needed to get the win (and it was all the Illini got). What’s this? Rohde’s a threat on the basepaths? He stole 2 in the first game.

Ryan Snowden’s double in the very last inning of the game, not only kept his hitting streak alive but broke the University of Illinois record. Way to go, Snow!

Final Score: Illinois 1 Northwestern 0

Game 2 was a lot more closer but outcome was the same. First of all, Snowden didn’t wait till the end of the game to get a hit. He doubled in Illinois’ first at-bat of the game. Just to be sure, he single in the sixth, too.

Starter Aaron Martin wasn’t on his game today and lasted only two-thirds of an inning, giving up foru runs. Fortunately, the Illini bats were good to go. Kyle Hudson, Shawn Roof, Brandon Wikoff all got two hits in addition to Snowden. Mike Rohde went back to what he does best; driving in runs and added a two-run homer in the 3rd.

When the dust settled and reliever Jake Tooehy did his work in the last two innings, the final score was Illinois 8 Northwestern 7

Nice work, Illini!!!

Update: It was close but the Wildcats tied Game 4 of the Series in the bottom of the ninth and scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 10th. Final score: Northwestern 6 Illini 5.

Lars Davis is just like a Timex watch. He keeps on ticking. In the loss, he was 4 for 5. That raises his BA to .452.

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! The Illini Crush the ‘Cats

Illinois is playing the Wildcats of Northwestern this weekend, Ryan Snowden No, I’m not wishing for more cold weather. Friday night, leadoff man and leftfielder Ryan Snowden just tied the University of Illinois record for consecutive games with a hit with 23. Nice going, Snow! Meanwhile, the Illini got a very solid start from Tanner … Continue reading “Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! The Illini Crush the ‘Cats”

Illinois is playing the Wildcats of Northwestern this weekend,

snowden

Ryan Snowden

No, I’m not wishing for more cold weather. Friday night, leadoff man and leftfielder Ryan Snowden just tied the University of Illinois record for consecutive games with a hit with 23. Nice going, Snow!

Meanwhile, the Illini got a very solid start from Tanner Roark (7 IP, 2 ER, 9 K) plus some good stick from Nick Stockwell who went 4 for 4 with 2 rbis. Stockwell, whose ABs you could pretty much count on both hands last year, led the team in hitting during the fall’s Orange-Blue Series. I said at the beginning of the year that could be a foreboding of good things for Nick and so far, he’s coming through.

The Illini got off to a early 3-0 lead against the Wildcats and never relinquished it. Final score: 6-2. Good luck the rest of the weekend guys!!

 

UI’s Hastings gets rewarded for his efforts

University of Illinois secondbaseman Ryan Hastings has been named Big Ten Player of the week. Lately, Hastings has had a hot bat (and by a “hot bat”. I mean that literally). Last week, he was 8 for 11 and had the game-winning hit against the Buckeyes in Game 1 of their double header on Sunday. … Continue reading “UI’s Hastings gets rewarded for his efforts”

University of Illinois secondbaseman Ryan Hastings has been named Big Ten Player of the week.

Lately, Hastings has had a hot bat (and by a “hot bat”. I mean that literally). Last week, he was 8 for 11 and had the game-winning hit against the Buckeyes in Game 1 of their double header on Sunday.

Hastings, a local boy from Mattoon, Illinois, now lists sixth among all Big Ten hitters with a .395 batting average.

A word about Lars Davis

The latest press release from the Illini website is entitled “Davis Puts It Together Behind, At Plate”. Of course, it goes on about Lars Davis’ hitting and defensive prowess; all which is true. But what they don’t mention is Davis’ baserunning skills. For a catcher, it seems to me that he’s “got the skillz”

Davis will take enormous leads and make the opposing pitcher very nervous. I’ve seen pitchers throw to first to keep Davis close. Has he been picked off? Just once. In addition, he’s 2-2 in steals.

I’m not saying he a speed demon or anything. Just that in addition to everything else, he’s a smart baserunner that will keep the defense on their toes.

The Illini are scheduled to play Northwestern at Evanston this weekend. Weather-permitting, that is.

Baseball Zealot Radio interviews Brian DeCaussin from Big Ten Hardball

One of the perks as a blogger and a podcaster is that I get to meet (at least virtually) and talk to a variety of people in the baseball world. That includes players and coaches, broadcasters, and fellow bloggers and podcasters. The one thing they all share is the love of the game of baseball. … Continue reading “Baseball Zealot Radio interviews Brian DeCaussin from Big Ten Hardball”

One of the perks as a blogger and a podcaster is that I get to meet (at least virtually) and talk to a variety of people in the baseball world. That includes players and coaches, broadcasters, and fellow bloggers and podcasters. The one thing they all share is the love of the game of baseball. This week’s guest, Brian DeCaussin of Big Ten Hardball, is no exception.

If you have any interest in college baseball, especially Big Ten baseball, a visit to Big Ten Hardball is a definite must. Brian does a great job reporting on and analyzing the Big Ten conference. Week in and week out, he summarizes each conference game and highlights. His web site is worth the trip just for the wealth of useful links that adorn the side of his site.

Brian and I got a chance to chat about his interest in Big Ten baseball, how the teams will shake out in 2007, and the status of the sport of baseball in the Big Ten.

You can download the show from the Baseball Zealot Radio website

or

You can listen via iTunes.

 

 

Illini score early but succumb to Bradley U.

I didn’t make it out to Illinois Field tonight but had to be content with listening to the game on the radio. I picked it up when Illinois was up 4-0. Unfortuately, that was all the scoring they would do. Brandon Wikoff’s 3 hits and a solid start from Billy Barrett (2 ER in 5 … Continue reading “Illini score early but succumb to Bradley U.”

I didn’t make it out to Illinois Field tonight but had to be content with listening to the game on the radio. I picked it up when Illinois was up 4-0. Unfortuately, that was all the scoring they would do.

Brandon Wikoff’s 3 hits and a solid start from Billy Barrett (2 ER in 5 plus innings) wasn’t enough against the Bradley Braves. The Braves put together two successive 3-run innngs to defeat the Illini. The final score was 6-4.

Streaking Illini

Don’t look now but Ryan Snowden still has his hit streak intact. He was 1 for 4 tonight extending his hit streak to 22 games going back to last season.

They’re starting to talk about another hit streak now. Surprise, surprise, it involves slugger Lars Davis. Davis was 1 for 5 and now he has hit in 17 straight games. He is now hitting .452 and at last look, he is neck and neck with Minnesota Gopher Mike Mee for first in Big Ten in hitting. Kyle Hudson and Ryan Hastings are also in the top ten in hitting in the Big Ten.

Getting some press

I just want to say Kudos! to local paper News-Gazette’s sports department for giving the Illinois baseball team front and center media coverage after their double header with Ohio State. Their huge photo of Shawn Roof and Kyle Hudson’s body slam after Game 1’s victory was awesome. So was their in-depth profile on Ryan Hastings.

Keep up the coverage, N-G. We appreciate it!

Illini have Hot Bats

During University of Illinois’ game against Ohio State on April 8, secondbaseman Ryan Hastings warms his aluminum bat with the help of “Mr Heater”, the space heater in their dugout. Any idea if there is a logical reason for this? Or is it superstition? Not that there’s anything wrong with that either.

warming the bat

During University of Illinois’ game against Ohio State on April 8, secondbaseman Ryan Hastings warms his aluminum bat with the help of “Mr Heater”, the space heater in their dugout.

Any idea if there is a logical reason for this? Or is it superstition?

Not that there’s anything wrong with that either.

Illini Split with #25 Ohio State

The cold winds blew but they finally got some games in. Illinois and Ohio State’s games were postponed on Friday and canceled on Saturday but on Sunday everything went as planned. Well, everything except for the loss in the twinighter. More on that later. Batting leader Lars Davis up to bat in the first game … Continue reading “Illini Split with #25 Ohio State”

The cold winds blew but they finally got some games in. Illinois and Ohio State’s games were postponed on Friday and canceled on Saturday but on Sunday everything went as planned. Well, everything except for the loss in the twinighter. More on that later.

davis

Batting leader Lars Davis up to bat in the first game

The first game was Friday’s game which was postponed because of the cold and wind. That meant it was nine innings instead of the usual seven innings when playing a doubleheader. That caused some confusion among the fans even those who are knowledgeable enough to know the seven inning rule. But nevermind…

You could almost say Game 1 was divided into 3 sub-games. Innings 1-3 where the Illini got a 5-0 lead. Then innings 4-6 where Ohio State responded with by tying it 5-5. Then the last three innings when Illinois scored 3 in the 8th to put the nail in the coffin. Ohio State pitching just fell apart. A hit, a HBP, an error, another HBP, a walk, and a sac fly accounted for the three runs.

celebrating run

The Illini celebrate a run in Game 1

Ryan Hastings was 3 for 3 with 3 runs. Lars Davis was 2 for 4 with 3 rbis.

During the break, I chatted with J.B Shuck’s father. J.B. Shuck played left field for the Buckeyes in the first game and (unbeknownst to me at the time) was the starting pitcher for Game 2. Anyway, I welcomed his father to the University of Illinois and we did the usual friendly rivalry bantering. He said he made it to all the Ohio State away games.

In Game 2, we had Scott Shaw going but boy, Ohio State seemed to have something to prove after Game 1. They scored five runs in the first two innings. The Illini made a valint effort, scoring four runs, bringing it within one but their bats kept hitting. They won 10-7.

Shawn Roof made the record books. In Game 2, he was hit four times, a school record. Ouch!

The guys may have wanted both wins but in my mind, a split with #25 Ohio State has to be considered a moral victory. Nice going!

Next up, Bradley at home on Tuesday. Free T-shirt to the first 50 students!!