Category: 2008 Big Ten Baseball Tournament

Some assorted Big Ten Tournament photos

The newly renovated home of the Michigan Wolverine baseball team with the complicated name of “The Wilpon Baseball Complex home of Ray Fisher Stadium”.  Too much like Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  Anyway, it IS nice.

Joe Blackburn has once again gotten a mohawk like last year.

Speaking of hair and ballplayers, it looks like the Purdue team is making their own statement with their locks.

For my money, the Penn State fans are the loudest, most raucous fans in Big Ten baseball.  Not in a drunk obnoxious way but in a sort of soccer mom way.

And it’s these women who lead the pack.

Big Ten Tournament photos

Manson, Bonadonna key win in tourney

That is a smile of a proud father.  Russell Bonadonna (above) is holding the homerun ball hit by his son, Joe during Wednesday’s action at the Big Ten Tournament.  Bonadonna’s homer proved to be the game-winner in the win against Ohio State in the first round of the tournament.  Illinois won 3-2.

Tied 2-2, Bonadonna hit a solo homer to left in the seventh inning off of Buckeye reliever Dean Wolosiansky.  The score stood and Illinois won.

Kevin Manson: CG, 0 ER

But I can’t write any more without talking about Kevin Manson.  Why?  He simply dominated the Buckeyes today.  He began the game by striking out the first two Buckeyes.  Then he got better.  No earned runs, only 4 hits, no walks.  Manson rose to the occasion.

In some ways, it was a typical Illinois game.  We outhit them 11 to 4 but won 3-2.

Steal #40

Kyle Hudson walked in the first inning and you knew what was coming next.  Steal #40.  That steal tied Shawn Roof for the single season team record.  Hud later scored on a sac fly.

Illinois also scored when Brandon Wikoff doubled in the 3rd inning and Daniel Webb singled to drive him home.

Tomorrow, Illinois face #1 seed Michigan in a night game.

I’ve created a separate album in the photo gallery for the Big Ten Tournament.  You can access it here. I will have separate sub-albums for each game.

Penn State defeated Indiana 6-1 in the second game of the day.  If anyone is interested, I took photos of that game, too.

Finally, this week I’ll be doing daily updates on the Tournament on Brian Foley’s The College Baseball Blog.  Thanks to Brian for the opportunity.

Settling in at Ann Arbor, Tomorrow the Big 10 Tournament

I just rolled into Ann Arbor this evening on the aptly named “Wolverine” Amtrak line.  I’m staying at the Lamp Post Inn.  It’s a budget motel but it has the important amenity I need.  Wireless access. 

When I told the motel owner my reason for being here he told me knew a few of Michigan baseball kids and their families.  Being somewhat familiar with the team, I asked ‘Which ones?’. 

“Zach Putnam”, he said.

Anyway, The tournament bracket is out (here’s the pdf version).  Illinois has their work cut out for them.  They face defending Tournament champion Ohio State tomorrow.  And if they can get by them, they face ranked Michigan.  What a difference one game in the standings makes.  Seed #3 Penn State is facing Indiana. 

Here are a couple other BTT interesting links if you haven’t run across them yet:

Official 2008 Big Ten Baseball Tournament press release (pdf format) …chock full of info.

Info on 2007 Big Ten Tournament from the Big Ten website

The Baseball Zealot coverage of the 2007 Big Ten Tournament

One final thought on the tournament before they get started tomorrow.  Last year’s #1 seed, Michigan was eliminated by Friday.  I’m not necessarily trying to pick on Michigan (much).  My point is that it’s a new “season” now and it’s anyone’s game out there.  Let’s not get overwhelmed by regular season rankings or standings. 

Oh and one more thing…

Go Illini!!!