Phegley and Co whip Illini 14-4

Note: Because of impending bad weather on Sunday, the two remaining games will be played Saturday as a doubleheader starting at noon.

Something happened at Illinois Field that hasn’t occurred all year.

Illinois lost.

Josh Phegley

It wasn’t a close game, it wasn’t a heartbreaker.  It was a train wreck.  Indiana crushed Illinois 14-4 behind the unsurprising bats of Josh Phegley and Alex Dickerson.  Phegley’s performance was simply awesome.  There was no doubt about his first homerun in the fourth inning.  His blast in the 9th went even further almost surpassing the scoreboard.

For the game, Phegley was 3 for 4 with 5 rbis and 4 runs to go with his one double and  2 dingers.

Box Score

The scoop on Indiana was they were weak on fielding.  Not tonight.  It was Illinois who had troubles in the field.  The Illini committed three errors tonight including two by usually sure-handed Brandon Wikoff.

CF Joe Bonadonna

That said, Joe Bonadonna was the one spotlight on defense for the Illini.  He made several good catches in center including one diving “landing on his belly” snag that got major props from his teammates as he got back to the dugout.

I do want to give Wikoff credit where credit is due.  He and Dom Altobelli both went 4 for 5 for the game.  Aside from them and Aaron Johnson who went 2 for 4 with an rbi, they were pretty much the only offense for the Illini.

Phil Haig gave up six earned run in three innings

Phil Haig got the start today and it seems he’s still got a little work to go on his way back from nursing a groin injury (so I’ve been told).  He gave up 7 runs (6 earned) in three innings.  Lee Zerrusen relieved Haig and couldn’t control the explosive Indiana offense any better.  He also allowed 7 runs.  Big Z also hit four Indiana batters.  The Indiana dugout had a field day with that, I tell ya.

It’s been a bummer writing this post so I’m ending on a positive note.  Daniel Parker and Adam Davis haven’t seen a lot of time this season but they got into tonight’s game.  And both were able to contribute offensively.  Parker got a pinch hit single in the ninth.  Eventually, Adam Davis who had come in to replace Aaron Johnson, drove him in with a fielder’s choice.

Casey McMurray heading in to score

This is just one game.  Mike Altobelli told me near the end of the game, “You knew we weren’t going to go undefeated”.”  He’s right.  And tomorrow, we have two more games in nice warm weather.  What could be better than that!

More pictures in the Photo Gallery

Go Illini!