Illini attempt to conquest Hilltoppers this weekend

I wouldn’t say the Illini are going north this weekend.  They’re just not travelling as far south.  Bowling Green, Kentucky is their destination and they will be facing off against the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky University.

WKU (6-5) seems to be a pretty tough team both offensively and on the mound.  Just two years ago, they won the Sun Belt Conference championship and went as far as the NCAA Tournament.

The Hilltoppers are 6-5 but more to the point, enjoy a 3-0 record at home (that came as a result of a Bowling Green State sweep to start the year.  Catcher Matt Rice was All-Sun Belt first team last year.  He hasn’t slowed down in 2011, either.  He’s hitting .408 with a team leading 14 rbis.  He’s not only threat, though.  The Hilltopper lineup is deep offensively.

So far, WKU has outscored their opponents by a decent 86-54 margin.  Some credit must be given to the pitching staff most notably starters Justin Hagerman (2-1, 2.40) and Tanner Perkins (2-1, 3.86).  Ross Hammonds has given up only one run in 12 plus innings out of the pen.

Random Ramblings

Last weekend may seem frustrating from the perspective of those us in Illinois.  But a commenter in a post from last weekend who has been watching the games in Florida has really given me pause to think.  He/she says in part:

“The kids themselves as well as the coaches are very high on this year’s team. Once the execution issues are worked out, they will be a solid team”.

Perspectives like this so important coming from someone who is watching the games down South.  I wish I was there.  There’s only so much I can read into from box scores and media reports.  I thank the commenter for their insight and appreciate viewing the team vicariously through them.

Let’s go Illini!