Ryan Nagle: Eight rbis for the season
With help from sophomore Ryan Nagle’s bat, Drasen Johnson got his first win of the season against a tough Coastal Carolina baseball team. Nagle helped the cause with a 3-run double in the fifth inning. It wasn’t easy especially coming off a disappointing 3-0 loss last night at the Baseball at the Beach Tournament against George Mason. The Chanticleers did make a late game effort today. However, Tyler Jay, who is showing that the Illini bullpen is as deep as projected, came through with a great ninth inning effort.
The win today puts Illinois at 2-3 for the season and they face UConn for the last game of the Baseball at the Beach Tournament in Myrtle Beach, SC tomorrow.
A quick recap of Friday’s and Saturday’s games:
| Game #4 / February 21, 2014 | ||||
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Kevin Duchene pitched another hard luck game and the Illini offense just couldn’t get going as they took it on the chin against George Mason 3-0.
Duchene struck out seven batters in seven innings and allowed three runs in the fifth inning, the only runs he would give up. The Illini actually out-hit the Patriots 6-5 but just couldn’t take advantage as they left runners in key positions during the game.
Good guys: Kevin Duchene’s line: 7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 7 K, 2 BB and unfortunately, one loss; Josh Ferry pitched a perfect eighth, striking out one batter; Reid Roper contributed a triple; David Kerian put out for a double
| Game #5 / February 22, 2014 | ||||
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In today’s game, Illinois got off to a 5-0 lead by the fifth inning but the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers pecked away till it was a one-run game. Thankfully, reliever Tyler Jay closed it out with a perfect ninth with two strikeouts for his second save of the season. Starter Drasen Johnson pitched well allowing one earned run in 6 2/3 innings while striking out five and getting his first win of the year and his first win as an Illini starter.
Good guys: Ryan Nagle is a good reason the Illini maintained an offensive posture today. Thanks to his 3-run double in the fifth inning, their 5 runs stood up to the Chanticleer late rally… Will Krug went 2 for 4 with a double and an rbi. He’s now hitting .435 for the young season…Give Ronnie Muck some credit. While he did give up a run in the eighth, he got Illinois out of a jam in the seventh with two outs and two runners on. It only took him two pitches to induce a groundout.
Next up
On Sunday, the Illini look to finish the weekend with a .500 record. They’ll be taking on Connecticut. This is a change from the original schedule due to weather concerns. The Huskies are 1-3 but they’re coming off a big 2-1 walk-off win against tough Wichita State today. John Kravetz is on the hill for the Illini. Game time on Sunday is scheduled for 9am CT.
Go Illinois!