Kelly Norris Jones rounds the paths
Yes, baseball in January. On Tuesday, I got word that the Illinois Baseball team was practicing at Illinois Field so I grabbed the Canon and got out to shoot some photos.
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Two hurlers that the Illini will depend on in the 2012 season: Kevin Johnson and Nick Chmielewski
It was good to see former Illini Casey McMurray on the sidelines watching over the progress of the 2012 squad. Casey is finishing up classes and coaching a traveling team.
More photos of Tuesday’s practice at the IBR photo gallery.
Infield Recruits
While the Illini were practicing, news is out that the staff has recruited two more infielders for the 2012-13 class. Both are Illinois suburban products.
The critical data on each player from FightingIllini.com:
Richie Gorski, IF
6-2 // 185 // R/R // Fr. // Streamwood, Ill. // Streamwood HSZack Kolakowski, IF
5-10 // 175 // R/R // Fr. // Inverness, Ill. // Fremd HS
The Illini continue to be deep in the infield which is never a bad thing. As an added bonus, Gorski can pitch (he went 4-1 with a 1.91 ERA for Streamwood in 2011). Both recruits can hit, of course. Gorski hit .405 in 2011. Kolakowski batted .342. K-man has a bit of speed, too with 10 stolen bases.
A little over two weeks away till opening day!
The new recruit Richie Gorski makes me wonder if he is related to Tim Gorski. Tim was a 6-3 RHP from Lindenhurst IL, Carmel HS. Tim redshirted in 2000 and played 4 years after that for the Illini. I need to search archives because I know I saw him pitch great games and met some of his family along the 3rd base fence.