Ok, where was everyone last night?? Official attendance was only 669 at Illinois Field to see the University of Illinois defeat the Eastern Illinois Panthers 8-0.
Ben Reeser gave the Illini 4 lights-out innings
The Illinois got some fantastic pitching from starter Ben Reeser (4 IP, 3 H) as well as relievers Scott Shaw (4 IP, 1 H) and Jake Toohey (1 IP, 0 H). No Illini pitcher allowed a walk.
Ryan Snowden scores a run during Illinois’ 5-run rally in the 6th inning
Panther pitcher Alex Guttosch looked pretty good until the 6th inning when Illinois put together a 5-run rally. For the game, six players had multiple hit games including Kyle Hudson who went 3 for 3 with a run, an rbi.
Illinois’ defense was on top of things, too. The first two innings, Eastern got a man on but both were quickly erased by a 6-4-3. As a matter of fact, despite four hits by Eastern, Illinois pitchers faced only one hitter over the minimum over the course of the game.
The win gives Illinois an overall winning record (18-17, 7-7 conference). Tonight they play Blackburn College. I had a friend stay with me a few days ago who grew up near Blackburn. He says it has (had?) an enrollment of around 800 so I don’t expect much of a battle. Then again, I felt the same thing about Robert Morris and they gave quite a fight.
I took some photos at the game against Eastern. You can see them at The Baseball Zealot’s Photo Gallery.
Update: University of Illinois defeated Blackburn Wednesday night by the score of 9-3. They got five good innings out of freshman pitcher Kevin Manson and Lars Davis continues his season long tear going 3 for 5.