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Illinois didn’t look back after Aaron Johnson’s three-run HR in the 2nd
University of Illinois scored early and often against Illinois State in their 10-4 win Tuesday night. Much of their offense came from catcher Aaron Johnson who was 3 for 4 with 4 rbis and 3 runs.
Johnson hit a three-run homerun in the second inning which made it 4-0 Illinois. It was Johnson’s third dinger of the year.
Starter Billy Barrett was on his game tonight
Meanwhile, Billy Barrett was pitching a decent game. His ERA before the game was 9+. Never mind though, he held ISU to three hits in five innings giving up two runs. In his new role in the bullpen, Mike Stankiewicz did well. In four innings, he allowed just one earned run.
Despite being 0 for 5, Mike Giller scored a run, drove one in and stole a base.
Aaron Johnson wasn’t done. He led off the 4th with a double and later scored on a ground out. Illinois put together a small rally in the fifth inning sparked when Mike Giller ran out a fielding error by an ISU error. Three hits by Ryan Hastings, Johnson, and Daniel Webb put two runs over the plate.
Daniel Webb, who by the way was playing right field tonight instead of his normal DH role, collected four hits for the game. Dom Altobelli, Joe Bonadonna, Nick Stockwell and Casey McMurray also had multi-hit games.
Due to his ankle injury, Kyle Hudson didn’t suit up. He did help out warming up the outfielders between innings.
For those wondering, Kyle Hudson did NOT play. My guess is that Coach Hartleb didn’t want to take any risks in a midweek, non-conference game. With Hudson’s absence in center, Illinois used Nick Stockwell in center, Dan Webb in right, and Mike Giller at DH.
More photos I took are here.
Next up: Western Illinois University Wednesday night at 6:30pm at Illinois Field.