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The Parr Bros: Justin and Jordan work together to win against Lamar
Keyed by the Parr brothers who combined for six hits, Illinois pulled out a wild 9-8 win against host Lamar at the YMBL Cardinal Classic in Beaumont, Texas on Sunday. That gives the Illini a split for the weekend tournament and a 3-4 record for the early season.
Justin Parr had his second 4-hit game of the year and brother Jordan contributed two more including a double. Both were instrumental in a 3-run first inning which got Illinois off to a good start.
Illinois heaped on to that lead in the fifth inning when they scored five more runs. Ten batters came up that inning. Two interesting things about that inning… The entire rally took place with two outs. Also, there were only two hits that whole inning. Illinois were helped by four walks and a HBP.
Lamar did manage to rally for five runs and make things uncomfortable for the Illini in the 7th. That tied it up at 8-8. In the top of the 9th, Jordan Parr’s double drove home Justin Parr to break the tie.
John Kravetz may not have pitched like a Freshman of the Week but he did ok. He allowed three runs and eight hits in five plus innings. Drasen Johnson and Luke Joyce suffered through the Lamar rally but Reid Roper once again pitched great. He pitched 1 2/3 innings of shutout ball allowing just two hits and striking out two. It was Roper’s first win of the year.
Call this a moral victory after our initial two losses against Gonzaga in the YMBL Cardinal Classic. Maybe I’m working the the stats but Illinois won three of their last five games. I’m pleased. It’s good to see the offense scoring early.
Congrats Illini!!