Illinois baseball | The Baseball Zealot

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…

Go Illini!!!

Illini Haig dazzles in Game 1 of split with Purdue

Phil Haig was lights out on Saturday

On Saturday, Phil Haig was all business as he threw a two-hit shutout against the Purdue Boilermakers as Illinois won 2-0.

The day before, Purdue scored 27 runs in the doubleheader. That same team was stymied by the freshman Haig who struck out three and walked two in the seven inning affair.

Haig’s efforts were rewarded with a Big Ten Co-pitcher of the Week honor. Congrats, Phil!

Brandon Wikoff drove in both of the Illini runs. Ironically, he did it without a hit, driving in one with a sacrifice fly and the other with a ground ball.

In game two, the Illini’s last regular season game, it was back to business for Purdue as they won 11-2.

Next up: With the loss, Illinois drops to the fourth seed in the Big Ten Tournament. They face Ohio State on Wednesday.

A fan convert to college baseball?

One more note… thanks to my friend Chuck who was in town and accompanied me to the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader. Chuck always makes light of college baseball but I convinced him to come with me. I honestly think he had a lot of fun. I know I did. Now Chuck will look at college baseball a little differently.

PS I’m glad we decided to go to the first game.

More photos here.

Illinois Twice-Boiled by Purdue but at least they’re Ann Arbor-bound

There’s good news and bad news. Well, the good news is the Illini are going to the Big Ten tournament and we have Indiana to thank for that. The Hoosiers swept the Michigan State Spartans in Friday’s doubleheader and thereby eliminating them from tournament qualification.

So on to Ann Arbor we go next week!

The Big Ten Network was on hand to broadcast the games.

The bad news is that Illinois isn’t playing like a tournament team at the moment. They were bowled over by the Purdue Boilermakers in both games of Friday’s doubleheader losing by the scores of 14-4 and 13-8. Adding insult to injury, we did this in front of the Big Ten Network audience.

Game Two’s battery, Aaron Johnson and Scott Shaw in happier times. Shaw would give up 11 runs before he was done.

The outcomes of both games seemed not to be question as Purdue scored early and often. Illinois did make a valiant effort in Game 2 to come back. Down 12-1 in the fifth inning, Illinois scored five runs in the bottom of the inning but Purdue’s lead proved to be too great.

The man in blue is all over this play and Kyle Hudson was called out stealing. Hud was 5 for 10 for the day with a stolen base.

Kyle Hudson garnered 5 hits in 10 at-bats for the two games as well as stealing base #38. He needs 3 more to break the team record. Ryan Hastings went 4 for 7 for the day with double and two rbis in Game 2.

One other positive note that you won’t see reflected in the box score is the defensive play by John Schlichter. He flashed some good leather several times during the day including a 5-2 play getting the runner out at the plate.

Ryan Hastings went 4 for 7 with a double for the day.

I always enjoy talking to and meeting the player’s parents in the stands. Brian Hastings, father of Ryan, and I chatted for a while, discussing our current pitching woes and the upcoming draft. He later introduced me to Casey McMurray’s father Kevin, talking up my website. Thanks for the plug, Brian.

I even met up with the opposition. In between games, I spoke with Bob Wolgamot whose son, Ben, is the secondbaseman for Purdue. Ben is from nearby Danville. Bob says several of the Purdue players play for the Danville Dans over the summer. I’m sure I’ll see Bob again as he plans to be up in Ann Arbor next week for the Tournament.

Saturday, the Illini have a chance to get back at Purdue and end the regular season in winning style. Game time for the doubleheader is 4pm at Illinois Field. The Big Ten Network will be broadcasting both games. Go Illini! Let’s show everyone what kind of team we really have!!

More photos here

Illini-Purdue: Mother Nature Wins Again

Once again the weather prevails. For the 15th time this season, a game has been affected by weather. Thursday’s game between Illinois and Purdue has been postponed.

The game will be made up during the course of the weekend. Friday’s doubleheader will start an hour earlier at 3pp and there will be an extra game tacked on to Saturday’s schedule. Saturday’s doubleheader begins at 4pm.

So the updated schedule:

~~Thur May 15 6:05pm~~ (postponed)
Fri May 16 3:00 (DH)
Sat May 17 4:00pm (DH)

And not to be a downer but Saturday’s weather looks iffy depending on who you get your weather info from.

Friday looks nice though.