The Columbia Lions took the Fighting Illini today 9-3 in the last game of the Bright House Invitational. There was no comeback, no “early lead then lost it”. Columbia scored four runs in the first inning and simply held on to the lead for the rest of the game.
Illinois starter Corey Kimes gave up five of those runs today but he wasn’t helped by defense. Two runs were unearned. Kimes struck out four in five innings.
Casey McMurray collected two hits, one a double. He also scored a run. Thomas Lindauer made a pinch hit appearance in the eighth and drove home a run with a base hit.
Random Ramblings
It’s too early to notice such things but freshman reliever Luke Joyce hasn’t allowed a run in four appearances so far. While I’m talking stats, Brandon Hohl (right) has quietly slipped into the #1 spot in batting average on the team. He’s hitting .355 for the season.
These days, I’m paying attention to Coach Hartleb’s post-game quotes. This season, they have been quite “pointed” to put it diplomatically. Today’s however, not so much.
“We weren’t very good on the mound or defensively early in the game and we couldn’t recover all game. “We just didn’t play well this weekend. We need to regroup and get better in all aspects.”
Losing come from behind games as we have in the past, can be extra frustrating, I guess. When we lose a game like today, it’s a little less so, I guess.
Next Up:
Western Kentucky (6-5) is next up on the schedule. The team will be traveling to Bowling Green this coming weekend for a three game series with the Hilltoppers.