With four teams vying for first place in the Big Ten, Illinois went into their series with Purdue hoping to go 3-0. Unfortunately, after game 1, that isn’t going to be a reality.
Today they lost to Purdue 12-5. They battled through 4 1/2 innings, tying the game 3-3. However, Purdue scored three in the fifth and five in the eighth inning to put the game out of reach.
The big offensive guys for Illini were the #8 and #9 hitters for Illinois. Willie Argo was 2 for 2 with a double and 2 runs scored. Josh Parr had 3 hits with a run scored and a stolen base.
If my math is correct, there is no more room for error anymore. For an Illini Big Ten Championship to happen, Illinois (15-7) now needs to win both their games against Purdue AND Minnesota (16-5) and Ohio State (16-6) need to lose both of their games. Not only that, Indiana (15-6) needs to lose at least one game.
Big Ten Hardball has a good wrap up of today’s action and where the teams stack up. Regardless what happens, Illinois has a Big Ten Tournament berth clinched.
Tomorrow is a noon game in West Lafayette so fire up GameTracker over your lunch break. Will Strack will be going for the good guys.
Go Illini!!
Does anyone have any info on Aaron Johnson’s condition? He was pulled late in the game after a foul tip got him.