The big stories of tonight’s game between Illinois and Southern Illinois University:
Well first of all, Illinois won 5-1. Yes, the Illini have a three game winning streak against Big Ten teams (courtesy of Penn State) but they also haven’t beaten a non-conference in three games either. So I’m glad Illinois could get this monkey off their collective backs. 
Second, our offense was condensed into one inning, the fourth. We scored all five of our runs in the fourth and that was all that we needed. Brandon Wikoff led that inning off with a fly ball that just kept carrying and carrying and before we knew it we had a 1-0 lead. Dom Altobelli followed that up by hitting the ball hard for a double to center. A hit by pitch and a walk loaded the bases for current Big Ten Player of the Week Willie Argo. And boy. he didn’t disappoint!
Argo (right) didn’t just hit a homer. He blasted the ball over the left field wall. That pitch was hit hard and long for a grand slam, giving Illinois a 5-0 lead.
Interestingly, Wikoff (left) had tripled in the first so there was talk in the stands of Brandon getting his second cycle of the season. It didn’t happen but it was a great game with Wikoff going 2 for 4 with a homerun and triple.
There was fantastic defense by the team in general and left fielder Casey McMurray in specific who made some spectacular plays.
Finally, kudos to the pitchers today. It was pitching by committee with five hurlers going and none going more than two innings. The five spread out eight hits to allow only one run.
Mike Sterk (right), who pitched two scoreless innings, got the win. Sterk also made a rather 
incredible grab of a high bouncer and got the 1-3.
Something else I noticed after I perused the box score some more… the Illini managed to get through the nine innings without striking out.
There are more photos on the Photo Gallery.
Next up: Northwestern at their place.
Way to go Illini!