Illini rally to even series against Michigan

I admit it.  From down here in Illinois, things didn’t look too good for the Orange and Blue Saturday afternoon.  Down by scores of 4-0 and 6-3, it looked like Michigan might go up 2-0 in the series.

But wow, what a comeback!  Behind the offensive efforts of Joe Bonadonna (3 for 5, 2B, 4 rbis, and a run), Dom Altobelli who had key 2 run double and Matt Dittman (wow, he’s coming on lately) who went 2 for 3 with a homer and 2 rbis, Illinois came back with a vengeance.  They scored three in fourth, two in the fifth, and a whopping 5 the sixth to win the game 10-8.

Reliever Lee Zerrusen got the win and Will Strack got the save.  Ben Reeser came out after one inning.  Seeing that I’m out of town and couldn’t listen to the show, I called Mike Altobelli (Dom’s father) to get more info.  Mike, who went to Ann Arbor for the games,  says it’s Reeser’s back that’s giving him trouble.  He’s had that problem in the past.

He said Zerrusen did a good job shutting UM down.  When Zerrusen ran out of gas, Will Strack came in and REALLY shut them down (two hits and no runs in 2 2/3 innings).  Mike lauded the offensive effort by the boys that really seem to come out of nowhere.

Great game by the Illini!!

A quick word about Friday’s game.

It’s really too bad we lost that game.  Phil Haig seemed to pitch pretty decent and it looks like he’s coming out of his funk.  His control was a bit off (5 walks) but overall he seemed to gain momentum after that second inning.

I was heartened that we were able to come back and tie the game at 2-2 (once again, Matt Dittman with a 2-run double… whatever you guys are telling him or doing to him, DON’T STOP!).  Alas, that was all we could come up with.

Then there’s tomorrow.  Bryan Roberts is due to pitch the last I heard.  Let’s win two this weekend!

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