Justin Parr: Four hits in 2012 season opener
Well, if you want to find the silver lining in today’s 13-12 loss to Notre Dame at the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge in St Petersburg, Florida, it’s this: at least the Illini had no problems providing offensive support for starter Kevin Johnson.
Unfortunately, the Fighting Irish didn’t have any problems scoring runs either. It was pretty much a roller coaster battle. The game was tied 6-6 after three innings and also tied 12-12 after eight. Notre Dame scored the necessary winning run on a solo homerun in the top of the ninth inning. In the bottom of the ninth, Illinois threatened with runners on first and second but could not score.
Despite the loss, Illinois certainly DID prove they could put runs across the plate today. The Parr brothers did their share. Jordan and Justin went a combined 5 for 9 with five rbis and four runs scored. Justin Parr is showing that his 2011 Big Ten title is no fluke. He got four hits including a double and a two-run homerun in the first inning.
Reid Roper, who spent a good part of the ‘11 season nursing a knee injury, showed he’s ready to play. Playing second base and batting cleanup, he hit a double and a third inning homerun and drove in three runs.
Brandon Hohl didn’t much of chance to see the ball today. He did get one single but other than that, Fighting Irish pitchers were careful with him. He was walked once and was hit twice. The strategy backfired as Hohl scored all four times he was on base.
[Update] here is the link for the boxscore for Friday’s game.
Next up
It’s a mid-afternoon game as the Illini take on Louisville tomorrow at 3pm. Frosh Rob McConnell is on the mound.
Good luck, Illini!