University of Illinois Baseball | The Baseball Zealot

Summer Plans for the Illini

Now that the Illinois baseball season is over, many of the players will be going on vacation, right? Wrong. Most of the returning players are off to go play in collegiate summer leagues.

Twenty-four Illini are dispersing throughout the country and playing in a number of collegiate summer leagues out there. Some of the Illini league favorites are among them. The Northwoods League up north will be taking on nine of our Illini. The Coastal Plain League in the southeast will have five.

Some summer leagues are close to home, too. This includes the Central Illinois Collegiate League and the Chicago Suburban Baseball League.

The Illini baseball page has a handy web page with a list of leagues and teams and where our players are headed this summer.

Also, check out Summer Ball which is a blog dedicated to college summer leagues.

Good Luck Illini!!

Final thoughts on the 2008 Big Ten Tournament

I’m back in Urbana, Illinois and before we close the book on the 2008 Big Ten Tournament, I’d like to provide some last comments and maybe some cool photos that didn’t make it into postings last week.

Michigan’s All-Big Ten Player of the Year Nate Recknagel at the plate

Once again, congratulations to the Michigan Wolverines who won the Big Ten Tournament in style, undefeated. Michigan will go on to the Regionals as a #2 seed and will again act as host. Regionals games start May 30th.

There were two one-run games in the tournament including the 3-2 Purdue-Michigan championship game. The largest blowout was the 15-6 Purdue blasting of Penn State on Thursday.

In my opinion, the most exciting game was Friday’s Indiana-Penn State game where no lead was safe.

Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
Penn State.......... 003 000 104 -  8 12  2
Indiana............. 013 030 004 - 11 15  4

Surely, Penn State after rallying from three back in the top of the ninth to take the lead, had thought they had wrested the game from the Hoosiers.

They didn’t count on Tyler Cox hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth to take it all away.

The Manster

Being an Illinois fan, I have to give mad props to 6’7″ starting pitcher Kevin Manson who kept the Illini in the tourney an extra day. Manson pitched a gem of a game on Wednesday… a complete game allowing only 4 hits and no walks. That was good enough to get him on the All-Tournament team.

Josh Phegley at bat against Purdue

Chris Hervey and Josh Phegley, Indiana’s #2 and #3 hitters were a force to be reckoned with. After their initial loss to Penn State, they caught fire. They were a combined 22 for 40 for the weekend. Phegley’s six rbis against Illinois was personally devastating.

Dan Black’s second homerun of the game against Indiana

The single player who had the most offensive tournament would have to be Purdue’s C/3B Dan Black. For the week, Black was 7 for 11 with 5 homeruns and 11 rbis. Amazingly, all his offense came in two games. In the two games against Michigan (including of course, the championship game), he was 0 for 6.

Would that factor in why he was passed over for the Tournament Most Outstanding Player? Well, that and they would rather give it to someone on the Championship team as they have done in previous years?

And finally, my favorite photo from the weekend:

This is a particularly bad-ass photo of Illinois 2B Joe Bonadonna. Joe has been excellent camera fodder all season. This photo is atypical though because for once, Joe is holding still.

Thanks to all the players and their parents (some who I met) for making this tournament possible. Also, I appreciate all the hard work that the University of Michigan put in. They did a great job!

Entry point for all my photos taken at the 2008 Big Ten Tournament

The Baseball Zealot coverage of the 2008 Big Ten Tournament

Official 2008 Big Ten Tournament page

Some sights at the 2008 Big Ten tournament

The Big Ten Network began broadcasting the games by the third round. This camera operator didn’t care for me taking her picture even though she was poking her camera into Illinois’ dugout a good part of the game.

This is a mid-game interview of Coach Hartleb of Illinois. This goes for MLB too but my feeling is let the manager do his job. There’s nothing he can say then that can’t wait till after the game. This is just a failed gimmick on TV sports media’s part.

On the left Steve Putnam and on the Brian DeCaussin from Big Ten Hardball. The three of us chatted Thursday.

Zach Putnam is Steve’s son and considering what Zach did to our Illini, I’d say some mean things but he’s a really nice guy and actually a Illinois alum so I won’t.

No team in the tourney gets in the game more than the Purdue Boilermakers. Whether it’s yelling encouragements to the pitcher or batter or riding the opposition, they’re doing it. There’s constant chatter. They’re always up on the railing making themselves the tenth player.

Something I noticed… when the Boilermaker pitcher makes the third out, four or five of them run out to meet him with high fives and ‘atta boy’s. In my opinion, that’s got to make a difference.

Quote of the Week:

“Ok, you’ve told the world you’re going to sacrifice. Now get the job done!”

-Indiana Coach Tracy Smith to an Indiana batter who fouled off a pitch while attempting a bunt.

my photos of the 2008 Big Ten Tournament this week (I’m closing in on 400 taken so far)

Zealot coverage of the 2008 Big Ten Tournament

Schedule, Boxscores and other info hosted by UM

Illini comeback attempt not enough in Big Ten tourney elimination round

Ryan Hastings: 3 for 4, 2 doubles

It was a valiant effort to be sure. But Illinois will not be playing any more games in the Big Ten Tournament and will be heading home. Indiana defeated them 14-7 earlier today in Day 3 of the Big Ten Tournament.

Despite the score, Illinois made it interesting. Down by 9-1, they rallied. Scoring three runs in the 7th and 8th innings, they came within two runs 9-7. But that was all they could muster and to add insult to injury, Indiana added five more in the bottom of the 8th.

Indiana hit the ball and and hit it hard. The tandem of Chris Hervey and Josh Phegley were a two-man wrecking crew. Between the two of them, they were a combined 7 for 8 with 8 rbis and 8 runs.

Altobelli coming home to score

Ryan Hastings and Dom Altobelli came through with 3 hits for the Illini. Casey McMurray, who was 2 for 3 with 2 rbis, keyed the 7th innng rally with a 2-run double. Hastings, Altobelli, and McMurray all got base hits in the 8th inning spurt of runs.

Credit John Schlichter for taking one for the team. He took two. Schlichter was hit by the pitch twice in the game and scored both times.

Indiana’s Tyler Tufts got the complete game win.

More photos from the game

Tournament info

More Zealot coverage of the Tournament

Heartbreak in Ann Arbor

Scott Shaw

Let’s make one thing clear. Despite what those of you looking the boxscore might be thinking, Scott Shaw pitched the game of his career. I don’t know if we could have asked any more of him. Shaw held the potent Wolverine lineup to one run three hits for six innings.

Unfortunately, it was seventh that got away from us. A double, an intentional walk to Big Ten Player of the Year Nate Recknagel, another walk… well it just got ugly. Credit Michigan 3B Adam Abraham for coming through with the two-run single.

Three runs scored in the seventh and the Illini never recovered.

Michigan won 5-2.

Zach Putnam

Michigan starter (and DH) Zach Putnam was pitching just as effectively but we didn’t have the big inning on him as they did on us. He struck out nine in seven innings and allowed 2 earned runs.

I also give some credit to the fans. They came out in droves. Michigan or no, it’s good to see fans supporting their college baseball team.

More photos from the game here.

I’m keeping this short because it’s time to go to the ballpark. Illinois is playing Indiana in an elimination game.

They’ll be more later.

Long day ahead at the Big Ten Baseball Tournament

Joe Bonadonna made his one hit count Wednesday

A quick post before I head out for the second day of the Big Ten Tournament.

What’s on for today?

First up at 12:05 is Loser’s round game where we find out who gets to go on in the tournament and who gets to get on the bus. #5 seed Ohio State faces #6 seed Indiana.

At 3:35, Penn State who defeated Indiana yesterday afternoon, will take on #2 seed Purdue. Purdue is a tough team who have a formidable offense as Illinois found out last weekend.

Finally, at 7:05, host Michigan will take on Illinois who are fresh off their first round win.

A busy day for the Big Ten tournament for sure.

Which announcer will we get?

I’m not a picky guy but I have to say the PA announcer for the Illinois-Ohio State left something to be desired. Between announcing the wrong defense at the beginning of the game and announcing players out of order it got a little nuts.

But when he referred to our team as the ‘Fighting Irish’, that was it. I think the crowd cheered a little extra louder when it was time for the stadium’s “Junior Announcer” promo when a lucky 10-year-old announced the players. He got the players right.

It didn’t go unnoticed when Penn State-Indiana played, they got a new announcer.

Congrats and Encouragement from an Alum

I just got an email from former Illinois SS Shawn Roof this morning. Roof is currently playing for the Lakeland Flying Tigers in the Gulf Coast League. He’s enjoying the updates and photos. He passes on congrats and greetings to everyone.

Apparently his roommate at Lakeland is a Michigan grad so there’s some trash talking going on between the two.

All for now, I stepped outside and though it is a bit overcast, it did stop raining and forecast for the day looks good.

Go Illini!

Link to photos of Big Ten Baseball Tournament

Some assorted Big Ten Tournament photos

The newly renovated home of the Michigan Wolverine baseball team with the complicated name of “The Wilpon Baseball Complex home of Ray Fisher Stadium”. Too much like Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Anyway, it IS nice.

Joe Blackburn has once again gotten a mohawk like last year.

Speaking of hair and ballplayers, it looks like the Purdue team is making their own statement with their locks.

For my money, the Penn State fans are the loudest, most raucous fans in Big Ten baseball. Not in a drunk obnoxious way but in a sort of soccer mom way.

And it’s these women who lead the pack.

Big Ten Tournament photos

Manson, Bonadonna key win in tourney

That is a smile of a proud father. Russell Bonadonna (above) is holding the homerun ball hit by his son, Joe during Wednesday’s action at the Big Ten Tournament. Bonadonna’s homer proved to be the game-winner in the win against Ohio State in the first round of the tournament. Illinois won 3-2.

Tied 2-2, Bonadonna hit a solo homer to left in the seventh inning off of Buckeye reliever Dean Wolosiansky. The score stood and Illinois won.

Kevin Manson: CG, 0 ER

But I can’t write any more without talking about Kevin Manson. Why? He simply dominated the Buckeyes today. He began the game by striking out the first two Buckeyes. Then he got better. No earned runs, only 4 hits, no walks. Manson rose to the occasion.

In some ways, it was a typical Illinois game. We outhit them 11 to 4 but won 3-2.

Steal #40

Kyle Hudson walked in the first inning and you knew what was coming next. Steal #40. That steal tied Shawn Roof for the single season team record. Hud later scored on a sac fly.

Illinois also scored when Brandon Wikoff doubled in the 3rd inning and Daniel Webb singled to drive him home.

Tomorrow, Illinois face #1 seed Michigan in a night game.

I’ve created a separate album in the photo gallery for the Big Ten Tournament. You can access it here. I will have separate sub-albums for each game.

Penn State defeated Indiana 6-1 in the second game of the day. If anyone is interested, I took photos of that game, too.

Finally, this week I’ll be doing daily updates on the Tournament on Brian Foley’s The College Baseball Blog. Thanks to Brian for the opportunity.

Five Illini honored by Big Ten

Yesterday, the Big Ten announced their individual award winners. With the Illini’s offense, it was no surprise that they were heavily represented with five honorees.

Kyle Hudson OF First Team All-Big Ten

Leading the pack is Kyle Hudson who was named First Team All Big Ten. Hud was second in the conference in hitting with a .411 batting average and second with 39 stolen bases. Hudson also scored 60 runs (4th in conference). All this was done in spite of ankle injury which sidelined him for four starts.

Hudson’s selection to the First Team was unanimous.

Joe Bonadonna 2B Second Team All-Big Ten

Joe Bonadonna hustles, there’s no doubt about it. His 36 stolen bases and 46 runs are eclipsed only by Hudson on the Illini. Bonadonna hit .375 for the year.

Brandon Wikoff SS Second Team All-Big Ten

Like Bonadonna, Brandon Wikoff is only 5’8″ but he ended the season fifth in rbis in the conference with 59. Wikoff batted .381 in the number 3 spot and was very clutch down the stretch for the Illini.

Daniel Webb DH Second Team All-Big Ten

Daniel Webb was batting .400+ for a good part of the season before his average ended up at .387 (seventh in the conference). Although primarily a DH, Webb filled in at right field when the need arose. He led the team in homeruns (6) and was second in rbis (45).

Kevin Manson SP Third Team All-Big Ten

6’7″ Kevin Manson led the team in wins with seven which was tied for third in the Big Ten. Manson was the reliable Friday starter who led the team in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched. Manson had good control too allowing only 19 walks in 65 2/3 innings.

In addition, Kyle Hudson was awarded the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award for Illinois.

Congratulations to Kyle, Joe, Brandon, Daniel and Kevin on a job well done!!

Settling in at Ann Arbor, Tomorrow the Big 10 Tournament

I just rolled into Ann Arbor this evening on the aptly named “Wolverine” Amtrak line. I’m staying at the Lamp Post Inn. It’s a budget motel but it has the important amenity I need. Wireless access.

When I told the motel owner my reason for being here he told me knew a few of Michigan baseball kids and their families. Being somewhat familiar with the team, I asked ‘Which ones?’.

“Zach Putnam”, he said.

Anyway, The tournament bracket is out (here’s the pdf version). Illinois has their work cut out for them. They face defending Tournament champion Ohio State tomorrow. And if they can get by them, they face ranked Michigan. What a difference one game in the standings makes. Seed #3 Penn State is facing Indiana.

Here are a couple other BTT interesting links if you haven’t run across them yet:

Official 2008 Big Ten Baseball Tournament press release (pdf format) …chock full of info.

Info on 2007 Big Ten Tournament from the Big Ten website

The Baseball Zealot coverage of the 2007 Big Ten Tournament

One final thought on the tournament before they get started tomorrow. Last year’s #1 seed, Michigan was eliminated by Friday. I’m not necessarily trying to pick on Michigan (much). My point is that it’s a new “season” now and it’s anyone’s game out there. Let’s not get overwhelmed by regular season rankings or standings.

Oh and one more thing…

Category: University of Illinois Baseball