Justin Parr got us off to a good start tonight… but it wouldn’t last
Justin Parr got the Illini off on the right foot with a homerun in the first inning while starting pitcher Kevin Duchene pitched five scoreless innings. However, Eastern Illinois caught up to the Illini with an eight-run rally in the sixth inning and eventually beat the Illini 8-4.
The loss today gives Illinois a 19-10 record overall.
| Game #29 / April 9, 2013 | ||||
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For eight innings, Illinois was kept to one hit by Eastern Illinois University and for a while, it looked like that might be enough. It was a big hit, a Justin Parr solo homerun in the first inning. Though starting pitcher Kevin Duchene (4-1) allowed five hits, it looked like EIU wasn’t able to score off of him.
That was, till the sixth inning. That was when the Panthers put together an eight-run rally. Those would be the only runs they would score the whole game but it would be enough. Kudos to Illini reliever Andrew Mamlic who was finally able to shut down the rally.
Thomas Lindauer did make it slightly more interesting in the bottom of the ninth with a three run homerun, his team-leading sixth of the year. That brought the score to 8-4 but it stayed that way and EIU prevailed.
Random Ramblings
There was some lineup juggling due to injuries. Jordan Parr played right field and lead off while David Kerian was in left since Will Krug was out of the lineup due to injuries sustained this past weekend. Rumor has it, he’ll be out four weeks. Also, Davis Hendrickson was not available due to an injury also occurring last weekend. Ryan Nagle took his turn in the lineup replacing Kerian at first base.
Those of you at the park tonight might have recognized a familiar face in Panther Blue. Jason Anderson, former Illini (and MLB) pitcher and volunteer assistant coach last year for the Illini has landed a position with EIU as an assistant coach. Good luck, Jason and congrats on tonight, I guess.
More photos from tonight here.
Next Up
This weekend is a big weekend at home. We take on Purdue at Illinois Field. The Boilermakers are 11-18 and 4-5 in the Big Ten so this Illinois’ big chance to make some ground in the conference. Game time Friday is 6pm. Don’t forget, Sunday is the Illini’s big promotion of the season, the Bleacher Bum Barbeque.
Go Illini!