Wow! Lots of big stuff happened yesterday in Illinois baseball. They did manage to get shutout by one the most struggling teams they’ve faced this year in Northern Illinois 3-0. But on the other hand, they came back and walloped SIU 13-5.
Some of the big stories of the day
Illinois gets shutout by NIU: The Huskies ERA was literally twice that of their opponents (6.64 to 3.17) so who saw that coming? It was the first of the year for NIU and kudos to Husky starter Taylor Nawrocki who obviously was on his game for 8 plus innings.
Matt Milroy gave up five hits and five walks in five innings but kept the damage to a minimum allowing just two (one earned) runs. Luke Joyce and Ronnie Muck allowed just run in for innings.
Two HR, Six rbis for Brandon Hohl against SIU: Hohl (right) came to play in game 2 on Sunday. He led the offense against the Salukis driving home almost half of the 13 runs. That was thanks to two three-run homeruns, one in the third and the other in the eighth. Hohl also singled in the fifth inning and eventually scored.
Hohl also had a three-rbi game on Friday against Southern Illinois.
Another Freshman gets his first career win: Illini freshman Josh Ferry pitched a solid game against the Salukis on Sunday and won his first college career game. In 6 1/3 innings, Ferry spread out five hits and four walks and the Salukis only could score three runs against him. Ferry also struck out five batters.
Out of the bullpen, Ronnie Muck and Reid Roper combined for 2 2/3 innings for two runs allowed but both were unearned.
Illinois goes 3-1 for the weekend: That wraps up the weekend for the Illini and they managed to win three of their games. For the year, they stand at 10-7 and in a three-way tie for third place in the overall Big Ten standings.
ILLINI BITS and PIECES
More Sunday Game 2 stats: Davis Hendrickson (left) went 2 for 3 with a triple and 3 rbis against the Salukis… Reid Roper went 2 for 5 with 2 runs… Alex Lincoln was 2 for 5 with a run and an rbi… For the day, Jordan Parr got four hits… Illinois will play Nebraska 3/23 in a conference game for the first time… Eleven days till home opener at Illinois Field!!!!!