Argo, Lindauer, Parr win conference honors

Willie Argo:  First Team All-Big Ten

Three Illini baseball players received All-Big Ten honors today including outfielder Willie Argo who was named to the first team All-Big Ten team.  In addition to Argo, shortstop Thomas Lindauer and outfielder Justin Parr were named third team All-Big Ten team.  Catcher Alex Lincoln received the Illinois sportsmanship award.

Senior Willie Argo is no doubt deserving of the award.  He batted .318 with a .432 on-base percentage while playing stellar defense in centerfield.  After stealing 22 bases this year, he ends his college career with 98, fifth in Big Ten history.

Lindauer, the Illini leadoff man for most of the year, was the sparkplug of the offense with .368 OBP.  More importantly, his defense at short was critical to the Illini. He committed only seven errors all year and contributed to many of the double plays which ranked the team first in the nation.

Number 3 hitter Justin Parr was a game changer and was tied for second on the team in rbis with 38.  His four triples led the Illini and was tied for third in the Big Ten.

First base must have been a competitive position.  I expected Parr’s brother, Jordan Parr to show up on one of the three All-Big teams.  Jordan led (or tied) the team in batting, slugging, homers, rbis and hits.  Another surprise for me was the omission of John Kravetz from the All-Big Ten Freshman team.   Kravetz led the team with 8 wins and won two conference Freshman of the Week honors.

Nonetheless, congratulations to Argo, Lindauer, Parr and Lincoln!

ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM
C – Kevin Plawecki, PUR
1B – Jordan Steranka, PSU
2B – Eric Charles, PUR
SS – Chad Christensen, NEB
3B – CAMERON PERKINS, PUR
OF – Willie Argo, ILL
OF – Jordan Keur, MSU
OF – Rich Sanguinetti, NEB
DH – Michael Pritchard, NEB
SP – TJ Oakes, MINN
SP – Jaron Long, OSU
SP – JOE HAASE, PUR
RP – Jonny Hoffman, IND

ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM
C – Kyle Schwarber, IND
1B – Sam Travis, IND
2B – Ryan Jones, MSU
SS – Justin Scanlon, MSU
3B – Josh Scheffert, NEB
OF – Phil Keppler, IOWA
OF – Patrick Biondi, MICH
OF – Barrett Serrato, PUR
DH – Dillon Dooney, IND
SP – Sasha Kuebel, IOWA
SP – Joe Kurrasch, PSU
SP – Lance Breedlove, PUR
RP – Blake Mascarello, PUR

ALL-BIG TEN THIRD TEAM
C – Matt Halloran, MINN
1B – Richard Stock, NEB
2B – Pat Kelly, NEB
SS – Thomas Lindauer, ILL
3B – Torsten Boss, MSU
OF – Justin Parr, ILL
OF – Andy Henkemeyer, MINN
OF – Sean Deegan, PSU
DH – Coley Crank, MICH
SP – Joey DeNato, IND
SP – Tony Bucciferro, MSU
SP – Kyle Kubat, NEB
RP – Nick Wittgren, PUR
Unanimous honorees in ALL CAPS

ALL-BIG TEN FRESHMAN TEAM*
C – KYLE SCHWARBER, IND
1B – SAM TRAVIS, IND
2B – PAT KELLY, NEB
SS – Michael Handel, MINN
3B – CHAD CLARK, IND
OF – CHRIS SUJKA, IND
OF – Jimmy Pickens, MSU
OF – Austin Darby, NEB
DH – Blaise Salter, MSU
SP – Kyle Hart, IND
SP – SASHA KUEBEL, IOWA
SP – Kyle Kubat, NEB
RP – Taylor Kaufman, IOWA
RP – Ben Meyer, MINN
*additional honoree due to tie

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES
Alex Lincoln, ILL
Drew Leininger, IND
Matt Dermody, IOWA
Kolby Wood, MICH
Tony Bucciferro, MSU
Kyle Geason, MINN
Cory Burleson, NEB
Paul Snieder, NU
David Corna, OSU
Ryan Clark, PSU
Joe Haase, PUR

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kevin Plawecki, PUR

PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Joe Haase, PUR

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Sam Travis, IND