Illinois Baseball finished strong at the Keith LeClair Classic in Greenville, North Carolina this weekend. After an initial loss to the East Carolina Pirates and a win versus the Ohio Bobcats the next day, they followed that up with two more wins to close out the tournament against the New Mexico State Aggies and the Boston College Eagles.
With three wins in a row, that puts Illinois above .500 for the first time since the first game of the season. They are now 4-3 for the season. More importantly, the players are playing with consistency and I think Coach Hartleb is getting more of a sense what their talents are.
| Game #6 / February 23, 2013 | ||||
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| 3 | 2 | |||
On Saturday, Illinois fans got their first look at John Kravetz for 2013. If this performance is any indication, he in for a good year. The sophomore righty pitched a solid six plus innings allowing just two runs against the New Mexico State Aggies. He gave up seven hits and only one walk. Tyler Jay redeemed himself for the loss last weekend by pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings and Reid Roper got his first save of 2013 by pitching a perfect ninth.
It was a combination of less than stellar defense by the Aggies and timely hitting that led to the 3-2 win for the Illini (wrap-up and box score). Defense certainly made a difference in the game. Illinois was outhit 7-6 and the argument could be made they were outpitched (Aggie pitching allowed one earned run). However, solo runs by the Illini in both the sixth and seventh innings fueled by errant throws by NMS put the good guys up for good.
David Kerian continued his hitting tear by going 2 for 3 with a rbi single for the first run of the game. While Michael Hurwitz was hitless Saturday, he walked twice and scored both times. Justin Parr collected two more hits in the game.
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| Game #7 / February 24, 2013 | ||||
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Illinois continued its winning ways on Sunday as they defeated the Boston College Eagles 5-2 (box score). This time it was freshman Nick Blackburn who came through with an excellent pitching performance. He allowed just unearned run in 6 2/3 innings. Three more freshman pitchers, Tyler Jay, Ryan Castellanos, and J.D. Nielsen, got to see some valuable time on the mound before Ronnie Muck came on in the eighth to finish the game to get his first save of 2013.
As good as Blackburn was pitching, it seemed for a while that the one unearned run he gave up might be enough for Boston College. As of the top of the fifth, it was still 1-0 BC. Then the Illini flood gates opened with a two out rally in the bottom of the fifth. 
Michael Hurwitz, Justin Parr, and David Kerian all had rbi singles to make it 3-1.
Two innings later, Jordan Parr drove home Hurwitz and Will Krug on a single to center field giving the Illini a more comfortable 5-1 lead. Things got a little dicey in the eighth inning with Boston College loading the bases and the Illini going through four pitchers but Ronnie Muck (seen right pitching in last year’s Orange and Blue World Series) got the job done and kept the Eagles to just run.
Krug was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored for the day. Justin Parr went 2 for 4 with an rbi and run. Hurwitz was 1 for 1 with an rbi, a run and 3 walks.
Random Ramblings
Speaking of Michael Hurwitz, he came into today’s game leading the team with 7 walks. Now, you can add three more. It doesn’t hurt that he’s batting .333 either. With an OBP over .500, it looks like he’s solidifying his spot in the lineup as either DH or occasional relief for Reid Roper at second base.
With Justin Parr’s 2 for 4 game Sunday, his batting average is now .516. Jordan is actually a victim of his own success. His average is so high now that when he goes 2 for 4, his average goes DOWN.
Next up: Next weekend, the Illini will head to Arlington, Texas for the University of Texas-Arlington/Hilton Invitational. Illinois will play a pair of games against Houston Baptist and two more against UT Arlington. First game of the tournament is March 1st at 11am CT.
Go Illini!