Illinois lose tough pitching duel with Texas State

Texas State 2 Illinois 1

Today’s game was a mirror image of yesterday’s.  Friday Illinois scratched out runs out of nothing.  Today, the hits were there but runs were scarce. 

Illini starting pitcher Mike Stankiewicz pitched a six inning gem allowing six hits and one run.  Unfortunately, the Illinois offense didn’t back him up and when he left the game it was 1-0 Texas State. 

It goose eggs till the to of the eighth when the Illini finally drew blood and tied the game.  John Schlichter doubled home Ryan Hastings who had walked. 

Unfortunately, it was also Schlichter who booted the ball at third base in the bottom of the 9th allowing Spenser Davis to reach base.   One wild pitch later, Bobcat Adam Witek singled him home for the wining run.

The offense obviously wasn’t there today but you gotta feel good about the pitching performances about Mike Stankiewicz and Nick Chmielewski (wild pitch notwithstanding). 

Newbie catcher Aaron Johnson went 3 for 4 though his offensive effort was somewhat wasted with no runs and no rbis.

Tomorrow, it’s another early 9am game against Lamar University Cardinals.

 

Next Game:

Game #3

Sat Feb 24, 9 am

Record: 1-1

vs Lamar

at Edinburgh, Tx

 

 

Opponent: Lamar
Nickname: Cardinals
Conference: Southland Conference
Head Coach: Jim Gilligan (30th year)
Location: Beaumont, Texas
Current Record: 1-1
Baseball Program website: Link
Players to watch: Reliever Tim Erickson who was named to the NCWBA Stopper Watch list. 
Team Facts: Lamar won the Southland Conference East Division in 2007 with a 20-10 record.  Pre-season polls predict the Cardinals to win their division again.

 

This will be the last game of the Al Ogletree Tournament.  After that, the team will be off till next weekend when they play Baylor on the 29th.  

Go Illini!

Update:  Lamar just lost a tough one to Sam Houston State 18-7 this afternoon.  Also, here is FightingIllini.com’s summary of the game.

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.