Two hits for Matt Dittman tonight
The Illini outhit Iowa tonight 12-5 in Friday night’s Big Ten home opener. That doesn’t mean Illinois ran away with the game, though. It was a nail-biter at Illinois Field as the home team scored two in the eighth inning to take the lead. Wes Braun came in the ninth to finish off the Hawkeyes and the Illini won 4-3 and are now 2-2 in Big Ten play.
Another quality start from Kevin Johnson… and no win.
Kevin Johnson is probably happier than anyone that Illinois won tonight. He didn’t get the ‘W’ though he pitched liked he deserved it. He gave up three runs in 7 plus innings (take away one bad pitch, a Trevor Willis homerun, it would have been just one run). Will Strack came in to finish the eighth inning and got the win.
Davis Hendrickson played a big part in tonight’s win
Illinois didn’t score until the fifth inning when Justin Parr drove in Davis Hendrickson making the score 3-1 Iowa. Fortunately, Iowa’s offense was pretty much done for the night and Illinois’ was just getting started. Two innings later, DH Pat Sheehan reached base on an error and a few batters later, Willie Argo drove him home on a base hit. 3-2 Iowa.
Three hits and a key rbi for Willie Argo
It was the eighth inning that was key for the Illini. Matt Dittman scored on a base hit by pinch hitter Thomas Shelton. Shelton moved to second on the throw and one batter later, Hendrickson hit one up the middle scoring what turned out to be the winning run.
Braun made it interesting in the ninth giving up a walk and a hit and even prompted a visit to the mound from Coach Hartleb. I was hoping that Coach would leave him to finish the job.
Coach did and Braun did.
More photos from today here. Yes, I did get my camera back from the ‘shop’. Fed Ex delivered it 2 hours before the game.
Fightingillini.com has their recap up including a video of an interview with game hero Thomas Shelton.
Random Ramblings
The Illini sure are giving us our money’s worth (ok it’s free but you the idea) at their home games. We’ve had a walk-off walk, a 14-2 game and then today’s comeback. Keep it coming!
Josh Parr wasn’t in today’s lineup. Thomas Lindauer moved to short and brother Justin Parr played second.
Tomorrow’s game is at 6:05pm. I believe the Big Ten Network will be broadcasting the game which probably explains the late start.
Go Illini!!