When then wind is blowing out like this you’re going to expect a high scoring game. In this case, it might contribute to bad weather. In this case, rain which suspended that game in the eighth inning. Friday’s game will be be picked up at 2pm Saturday to be followed by the regularly scheduled doubleheader. It will be a loooong day for both teams.
The action so far
Daniel Webb rapping a 3-run double in the first
Up until the game was called, Penn State has rapped 15 hits and scored 11 runs. Every Nittany Lion except one has scored a run and all but two has a rbi.
The funny thing is the Illini are still winning. Through eight, Illinois 16 runs on 22 hits. Six Illini have multi-hit games going. The big stars of the game (so far) is DH Daniel Webb, Casey McMurray and John Schlichter. Webb is 4 for 5 with two doubles and four rbis. Freshman McMurray is 5 for 5 with 3 rbis. Schlichter has hit two triples and a double and scored three times and drove in three runs.
Brandon Wikoff crossing home plate for a run. Is PSU catcher Joe Blackburn really that tall?
I have to give Penn State (actually both teams) their due. They were down 9-3 in the top of the sixth when their offense kicked in. They managed to score three runs in the sixth and seventh and two in the eighth making it an interesting game again. For Illinois’ part, sensing the urgency, responded by scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth and four in the seventh.
Interestingly, with the wild wind blowing out, there has been only one homerun hit in the game so far. That belongs to Lion Cory Wine, the coach’s kid, who knocked one in the second inning.
So as it stands in the bottom of the eighth, Illinois 16 Penn State 11
Meeting more people
It seems every home game I meet at least one more parent of an Illini parent. This time it was Bill Wikoff, father of SS Brandon Wikoff. I’ve seen Bill around plenty at home game shouting encouragements to the team but this is the first time I’ve gotten a chance to talk to him.
Gain One, Lose One
Hudson’s back!
One last note… the Illini uniform sure looked good on Kyle Hudson after seeing him not suit up because of the ankle injury the last few games. So far, he’s 2 for 5 in this game. His first at-bat was a grounder to the thirdbaseman which he tried to run out and definitely tested that ankle.
Unfortunately, Illinois will be without 3B Dom Altobelli for a while. Dom injured himself late in the game against Western Illinois. He said he got an MRI two days ago which shows a torn labrum. He told me he just wants to get his strength back. No real idea when he will get back but I’ll bet this will be a lot longer than a couple games.
Take care of that shoulder, Dom.
Photos of the game here. I ran out of batteries midway through so I don’t have any after the sixth inning. Sorry.
Go Illini!!!
Great coverage!!! BZ, you are a better man than I am. I was under the cover of US Cellular Field and complaining about the weather, while you were out there in it. The wind was howling and the rain was coming down, not a good combination. Good luck to you & the Fighting ILLINI on Saturday, hopefully the weather will be better. CHANT I-L-L, RESPONSE I-N-I!!! LET’S GO ILLINOIS!!!