Tag: al ogletree

Illini Win Season Opener!

gametracker It’s hard to believe with a heavy snowstorm upon us here in Illinois, that I would be following a baseball game today.  With the help of CSTV’s Gametracker, that’s exactly what I did as I saw the University of Illinois win their season opener against Sam Houston State at the Al Ogletree Tournament in Edinburgh, Texas. 

Offensively, the Illini made the most of little especially at first.  With the help of an error, two walks, and a hit batsman plus a Daniel Webb single, Illinois scored two runs in the second inning. The next inning they scored another run on a another Bearcat error, scoring Brandon Wikoff who singled and stole second. 

Meanwhile, Scott Shaw was lights out for five innings allowing no runs.  However, Shaw ran into trouble in the 6th when he gave up four earned runs.  Kevin Manson came in relief. 

In the 7th, rbi hits by frosh Casey McMurray and Ryan Hastings made it 5-4.  For good measure, Joey Bonadonna scored on a sac fly after the Illini loaded the bases. 

Back to Kevin Manson… he closed out the game pitching 3 2/3 innings allowing no runs with 3 strikeouts and got the precious win.  Final score Illinois 6 SHSU 4.

I’ll bet the players will be celebrating tonight!

But not too much.  They have a early 9am game tomorrow.   Here are the details:

Game #2

Sat Feb 23, 9 am

Record: 1-0

vs Texas State

at Edinburgh, Tx

 

Illinois go from facing the Bearcats to facing the Bobcats of Texas State.  It’s their second game of the Al Ogletree Tournament. 

Opponent: Texas State
Nickname: Bobcats
Conference: Southland Conference
Coach: Ty Harrington (9th year)
Location: San Marcos, Texas
Current Record: 1-0
Baseball Program website: Link
Players to watch: Thomas Field, Adam Witek
Comments: SS Field was named pre-season Southland Conference First Team and pitcher Mike Hart was named pre season second team. 
The Bobcats were 37-23 in 2007 and were listed in the Top 100 college teams in a preseason poll.

 

Again, their opponent is tough.  More importantly, they have a win under their belt, defeating Stephen Austin in a 10 inning game today.

Go Illini!

Update:  Here’s Fightingillini.com’s summary of the game.

2008 begins for Illinois on Friday night

Go Illinois!

 

     

Game #1

Friday, Feb. 22 3pm

Record: 0-0

vs Sam Houston State

at Edinburgh, TX

 

Tomorrow night, the University of Illinois begin their 2008 season.  They take on Sam Houston State in the first game of the Al Ogletree Classic Tournament in warm Edinburgh, Texas.

Word from the clubhouse is that the guys are ready to play and that they are “excited to get outside and see a different-colored jersey”.  After an off-season of playing each other in scrimmages, I don’t doubt it. 

Game One will see Scott Shaw on the mound for the Illini.  Shaw was 5-5 with 6.42 ERA last year but showed some real stuff when he was on his game. 

Sam Houston will be coming into the game with the same record as the Illini, 0-0.  Here is their rundown. 

Opponent: Sam Houston State
Nickname: Bearkats
Conference: Southland Conference
Location: Huntsville, Texas
Current Record: 0-0
Baseball Program website: Link
Players to watch: Bobby Verbick, Jacob Howard, Keith Stein
Comments: Verbick, Howard and Stein have all been named to the Brooks Wallace Watch list.  Sam Houston is the only team in the state that has three players on the list.  Considering the state is Texas, that says a lot. 

 

No doubt, they look tough.   But it bears repeating that this year no team gets a head start and that helps the northern teams. 

For those of you wanting to follow the game, go to the Fighting Illini web site and you can follow along with Gametracker.  Gametracker had gone through some major enhancements last year and it’s very nice. 

Good luck to the Illini!!

FightingIllini.com preview of the Al Ogletree Classic