Illinois continued their winning ways as they took the first two games against the Salukis of Southern Illinois. That gives the Illini ten wins in their last eleven matches and a formidable 12-4 record.
| Game #15 / March 15, 2013 | ||||
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| 4 | 1 | |||
On Friday, Kevin Johnson won his third game of the year, throwing eight scoreless innings in typical fashion, keeping the walks and hits down. He allowed just one walk and seven hits. Johnson’s eight innings puts him past Jason Anderson and fourth on the all-time list for innings pitched. With one more out, he’ll have an even 300.
In the first inning, Jordan Parr got the Illini on the board with an rbi double scoring Will Krug. The Lindauer/Justin Parr combo was working well together Friday. Three innings later, Thomas Lindauer drove home Justin Parr on a base hit. It was Lindauer again in the 6th inning who came through with a base hit again scoring Justin. Parr scored one more insurance run after doubling in the eighth. David Kerian drove him home on a single.
| Game #16 / March 16, 2013 | ||||
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| 7 | 5 | |||
Saturday’s game against SIU was a humdinger of a win. It was an extra inning win with Illinois scoring three runs in the top of the 10th. They got some help from SIU who couldn’t handle Adam Walton’s squeeze attempt which led to two runs.
Justin Parr had a great game going 3 for 6 with a triple and two rbis. Jordan Parr and David Kerian both contributed two hits. In his first appearance of the season, Bryan Roberts got a win by facing one batter and striking him out in the tenth inning. Reid Roper finished out the tenth inning, albeit giving up one homerun, for his fourth save of the year.
Random Ramblings
Top Illini pitchers in career innings pitched:
- Mark Dressen- 328 2/3
- Brett Weber- 315 2/3
- Drew Dickinson- 304 2/3
- Kevin Johnson- 299 2/3*
*active
I was happy to see Bryan Roberts get the win in today’s game against SIU even for just batter. It’s been one long road for Bryan who’s missed over a season with various shoulder and arm problems.
As someone who stands close by the Illini dugout frequently during the home season, I can tell you that even though Bryan was out for the season in 2012, that doesn’t mean he didn’t have an impact on the team. He was constantly into the game and doing what he could to help his teammates.
I’m hoping we’ll see more of Bryan Roberts this year. In 2010, when he was on, he was unhittable.
Next up: Sunday, Illinois will pick up their series with SIU at Rent One Park in Marion, Illinois. Kevin Duchene is on the mound for the Illini and game time is 2pm.
Both teams return to Abe Martin Field in Carbondale on Monday at 1pm to finish out the four game series.
Go Illini!