Illini end Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge with loss to St John’s

Well, the Illini gave St John’s a good fight.  It was pretty much the story of two games within one.  The first one where the Illini had them strung up in the first five innings, winning 4-0.  It was indeed the 3-run fifth inning when Illinois did most of the damage keyed by a 2-run single by Mike Giller (left).    

Unfortunately, it was also the fifth when St John’s came back with their own rally and scored 4 runs off of Illini starter Kevin Johnson to tie the game up.   Let’s give Johnson credit where credit is due.  Up until that fifth inning, he hadn’t allowed a hit. 

It was pretty much downhill after that for Illinois.  Those three runs for Illinois would be their last.  The Red Storm managed to put one run across in the sixth and the seventh and that was all they needed to win it 6-4.   Nick Chmielewski who gave up  the two runs ended up with the loss. 

So that gave Illinois a 1-2 record for the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge.  Not ideal by any means but we came out of the starting gate nicely with our win again and we certainly have a few things to brag about nonetheless.

Who was hot

Yes, let’s talk about Matt Dittman.  Ditt continued his offensive streak against St John’s.  He went 1 for 2 with 2 runs.  That was helped with a walk and a HBP.  No doubt, he was the hitting leader of the tournament.  He led the Illini with a .667 batting average and a .778 slugging average.  He tied for the team lead in rbis and runs.

Also, tied in runs was Willie Argo.  A bit frustrating though since most of those runs came from walks.  Argo was walked eight times over the three games.  I honestly don’t know if Willie is becoming more patient at the plate (quite possible) or if the BIG EAST remembers what happened at LSU and didn’t want to give him anything good to hit. 

Freshman thirdbaseman Brandon Hohl is beginning to make a name for himself.  That started with Game 1 against Notre Dame when he got two hits and two rbis.  Brandon proved it wasn’t beginner’s luck and continued to pound the ball for the tournament.  For the weekend, he was 5 for 10 with 3 rbis. 

The Pitching

Finally, the pitching, which I thought was key for this tournament.  Stats and results aside, the starting pitchers were solid-ish.  Strack, of course, did a great job Friday night and just needs to build on that.  For Saturday and Sunday, Illinois went with our two freshman, de la Torriente and Johnson. 

From all reports, de la Torriente seemed to show some good stuff.  He allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings but also struck out 5 and walked none.  As far as Johnson goes, boy, he seemed to cruising along the first four innings then something happened. 

The bullpen was hit and miss but don’t get the idea it was all bad.  We had good  outings from Mike Sterk (a 3 inning, no run save) and John Anderson (right), who pitched two shutout innings Sunday.  Tanner Libby also came in and pitched a shutout inning against the Bulls. 

Next up

So that ends the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge.  I’m not exactly sure of the numbers but I’m pretty sure the Big Ten lost the lead they had after the first day. 

In four more days, Illinois will participate in the Keith Leclair Invitational Tournament in Greenville, North Carolina.  First up… East Carolina.

Go Illini!