University of Illinois secondbaseman Ryan Hastings has been named Big Ten Player of the week.
Lately, Hastings has had a hot bat (and by a “hot bat”. I mean that literally). Last week, he was 8 for 11 and had the game-winning hit against the Buckeyes in Game 1 of their double header on Sunday.
Hastings, a local boy from Mattoon, Illinois, now lists sixth among all Big Ten hitters with a .395 batting average.
A word about Lars Davis
The latest press release from the Illini website is entitled “Davis Puts It Together Behind, At Plate”. Of course, it goes on about Lars Davis’ hitting and defensive prowess; all which is true. But what they don’t mention is Davis’ baserunning skills. For a catcher, it seems to me that he’s “got the skillz”
Davis will take enormous leads and make the opposing pitcher very nervous. I’ve seen pitchers throw to first to keep Davis close. Has he been picked off? Just once. In addition, he’s 2-2 in steals.
I’m not saying he a speed demon or anything. Just that in addition to everything else, he’s a smart baserunner that will keep the defense on their toes.
The Illini are scheduled to play Northwestern at Evanston this weekend. Weather-permitting, that is.