Ryan Nagle and Jason Goldstein glad-hand David Kerian after his 2-run homer
For #19 Illinois, it was again a story of late inning heroics as both Casey Fletcher and David Kerian hit homeruns in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 1-1 tie with the Southern Illinois Salukis. The Illini won Sunday’s game as well as the weekend series losing the match on Friday night.
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John Kravetz pitched a fantastic game and even managed to lower his sub-2.00 ERA but it was Tyler Jay who came away with the win. Jay now leads the team in wins (4-0) after pitching a perfect eighth and ninth innings today. The win today gives the Illini a 14-4-1 record for the season.
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Pat McInerney ties it up with a solo homer
After SIU took the lead in the top of third, the Illini got it back quickly on a Pat McInerney solo homerun in the bottom of the inning.
Meanwhile, John Kravetz was on top of his game. Coming in with a 1.98 ERA, he just allowed one run in seven innings and did not allow a walk. In the eighth with the scored still 1-1, Tyler Jay came in to replace him.
The Illini had their chances. In the sixth, the SIU reliever pitched 13 balls in the stretch of 15 pitches, loading the bases with one out. The double play is a pitcher’s best friend and unfortunately, that’s what happened to the Illini.
Casey Fletcher’s game winner
The Illini got their comeuppance in the eighth inning though. The score was still 1-1 and the Illini rallied with three runs on the backs of Casey Fletcher’s solo homerun and David Kerian’s two-run shot driving home Jason Goldstein. It would have been four runs that inning but Pat McInerney was gunned down at the plate on Goldy’s hit to center despite a valiant attempt to slide around the tag. Goldstein’s hit was ruled an error on the centerfielder.
Tyler Jay’s two perfect innings today now makes it 22 1/3 scoreless innings on the season.
Random Ramblings
Reid Roper missed his first game of the season today due to a one-game suspension for yesterday’s incident. I’m told that’s the automatic suspension for helmet throwing. Today’s lineup featured Zack Kolakowski at second base as well as Matt James replacing Will Krug in the lineup. Pat McInerney moved from DH to right field.
It may have been rough having the best hitter on the bench but now that the Illini have won, it could be said that having some guys coming off the bench and getting some playing time is valuable. Makes them a little less itchy.
Pat McInerney almost sneaks in
Speaking of Pat Mac, he’s really making a difference this year with some clutch hitting. Today, he was 3 for 3 with a homerun. His rbi today gives him 13 which is second only to the elder Roper.
Next up
No midweek game this week but the Illini will be at home again this coming Friday. They’ll be hosting the University of South Florida Bulls. Friday’s game is at 4pm.