The boys split a pair of games Saturday in Corvallis, Oregon at the Nike College Showcase. They defeated Connecticut 5-1 in the early afternoon game but lost to #22 Oregon State 8-2.
Have we found a new A-1 starter in John Kravetz? He’s a freshman and it’s early in the season so I’ll reserve judgment for a while. Regardless, Kravetz (left) has put in another solid win and I really like what I’ve seen so far. Against the UConn Huskies he struck out six and allowed just one run in 7 2/3 innings for his second win of the season. You can see an interview of Kravetz along with the fightingillini.com wrap-up.
Reliever Drasen Johnson pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings to finish the game for JK.
Are you tired of hearing about the Parr brothers in the highlights? I know I’m not. Justin Parr drove in three runs, going 2 for 4. One of those hits was a two-run triple in the fourth. Thomas Lindauer also had a triple in the fourth inning driving in a run. He was 2 for 4.
As for Jordan Parr, he got three hits in the game. Combined with his 1 for 3 performance later in day, that puts his batting average at an even .400.
Later in day, Illinois were felled by the #22 Oregon State Beavers. It didn’t take long for the Beavers to get to Matt Milroy, scoring six runs in the second inning. From the looks of it, that second inning was pretty nasty. The Beaver got only two hits that inning. They were helped by three hit batsmen (including two to lead off the inning) and two walks.
OSU starter Dan Child pitched a great game, holding Illinois to five hits and one run and striking out 9 Illini batters.
The Illinois bullpen did keep things in check once that second inning was over. Josh Ferry made his second appearance of the season and did ok, allowing just two runs (and only one earned) in 5 1/3 innings. Anthony Milazzo and Brian de la Torriente both making their second appearance this season, 
hurled a scoreless inning each.
Offensively, Illini Davis Hendrickson got two hits and drove in a run. Bill Charvat had a rare start at DH against the Beavers and made the most of the opportunity. Charvat (right) went 2 for 2 and scored a run.
Next Up
One last game for the Illini out west at the Nike College Showcase on Sunday. They’ll be taking on the Mountaineers of West Virginia University. Nick Chmielewski is the starting pitcher. Game time is 1pm CT.
Go Illini!!