“Kevin Johnson pitched extremely well and deserved to win, but we were bad out of the bullpen,”
-Coach Dan Hartleb on Friday’s game against Central Michigan
That about sums it up. Illinois went into the top of the eighth inning ahead 5-0 in their first game of the Bright House Invitational. The bullpen was called in everything simply imploded. The first three Central Michigan batters walked and it didn’t get much better after that. The Chippewas managed to put over six runs to take the lead that inning.
The Illini got a second chance on life when Josh Parr scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth, tying the game 6-6. However, CMU came back again in the top of the ninth scoring three more runs on four hits and the score stood at 9-6.
It’s a shame because starter Kevin Johnson (left) did indeed deserve to win. He pitched another great game. He pitched 7 shutout innings allowing five hits and just one walk. Johnson has been a bit of a hard luck pitcher so far this year. He has an ERA of 1.08 this season but Illinois is 1-2 in the games that he starts.
Brandon Hohl put in a good day at the plate. He was 3 for 4 with a double and two rbis. The Parr brothers continue to hit. Both got two hits and Justin managed to get a double AND a triple. Believe it or not, he’s tied for the team lead in rbis now.
Next up
Tomorrow brings the Stetson Hats. John Anderson will be going for the good guys. We’ve won both times he’s started so I’m hopeful despite Stetson’s 6-1 record.