Wotta Game! Comeback win in Game One vs Ohio State

This game ranks up there as one of the best baseball games I’ve ever seen considering what was at stake, how many were in attendance and what actually went down.  And in case the photo above doesn’t give it away, Illinois won.

 

With Alex Wimmers (above left) and Phil Haig (above right) on the mound for OSU and Illinois respectively, one would have expected a pitcher’s duel.  And that’s pretty much what we got for the first part of the game.  Wimmers kept the Illini hitless until the fifth when Dom Altobelli drew blood with a solo shot to right field.

As for Phil Haig, he spotted the Buckeyes two runs, courtesy of a Michael Stephens home run.  After that, he pitched six scoreless innings.

With the score 2-1 OSU in the top of the eighth, the Bucks added more to their lead.  Catcher Dan Burkhardt came through with a two-run dinger giving Ohio State a 3 run lead.

Altobelli makes Illinois’ first hit off Wimmers count.  I like the look on the ump who is following the arc of  the ball.

 

Altobelli being congratulated by his teammates

Illinois managed to tighten the lead in the bottom of the eighth.  With runners on first and second, Altobelli singled in Casey McMurray.  Yes, that’s two hits for Altobelli, by the way, giving him 13 multi-hit games  in a row.

John Anderson gets the win.

John Anderson (above), who I think Hartleb is having more and more confidence in lately, came in the ninth and shut down door so that our offense could do their job.

Down by two, bottom of the ninth, three outs to go.

By now, Illinois was facing Jake Hale who relieved Wimmers in the eighth.  Now, Wimmers is good but Hale ain’t  chopped liver either from what I hear.

But with one out, Pete Cappetta coaxed a walk out of Hale.  Willie Argo reached base on a error on throwing error by the thirdbaseman.  With pinchhitter, Mike Giller up, a second error loaded the bases which brought up leadoff hitter Joe Bonadonna.

Bonadonna gets a key hit that tied the game

With a one-strike 1-2 count, Bonadonna ripped a hit to right scoring two which tied the game and the crowd at Illinois Field erupted into a thunderous applause.

But the game wasn’t over yet.  With runners on first and third, it was Casey at the Bat.  Casey McMurray, that is.  McMurray drove a single again to right scoring scoring Giller.

Illini wins!!!  Final Score is 5-4 in a comeback win.

Box Score

I’ve never seen Illinois Field in such a celebratory mood as it was tonight.  The fireworks they had planned for after the game were so appropriate.

You can find lotsa photos at the Photo Gallery.

Game 2 is tomorrow at 3:05pm at Illinois Field.  I hope to see there!