Third career complete game for Drasen Johnson
It was a strange game at times with two ejections and an oh-so-close homerun that was ruled a foul ball but in the end, the Illini (13-4-1) came out the victor. Starter Drasen Johnson pitched a complete against the Southern Illinois Salukis (3-14) and the Illini offense came through with plenty of runs to win it 6-2 for Saturday’s game at Illinois Field.
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Pat McInerney drove home two in the first inning with a double
It may have been foggy for Friday’s game against SIU but it was clear and sunny on Saturday. The purpose was clear as well for the offense… score runs for Drasen Johnson. They did just that as they came out of the gate with the bats ready. The Illini scored three runs in the first inning, keyed by a Casey Fletcher rbi hit and a Pat McInerney two-run double.
Adam Walton brings his average up to .321 today
SIU managed to come within two as they score a run each in the second and the sixth. Meanwhile, the Illini bats were quiet after the first and it seemed that Drasen Johnson may have to pitch his way through this game. However, in the eighth, the Illini put together three hits and were helped by a Saluki error and a wild pitch. In the end, they scored three more runs to give Johnson a more comfortable four-run lead. Ryan Nagle, Jason Goldstein both had big rbi hits that inning and David Kerian drove home an insurance run with a grounder.
For the game, Ryan Nagle had three hits including a double. Leadoff hitter Adam Walton went 2 for 4 with a double. Johnson spread out 10 hits in nine innings for his third career complete game win with one walk and two strikeouts. That makes him 2-1 for the season.
An umpire discusses the finer points of foul ball rules with Coach Dan Hartleb
In the seventh, there were two ejections. In the same inning that the SIU manager Ken Henderson was ejected, Reid Roper hit a blast to the far right field corner. Most everyone including Roper and Coach Hartleb, thought it was a four-bagger but it was ruled a foul ball. The normally even-tempered Roper threw his helmet to the ground. Perhaps he said a few things to the ump he shouldn’t have. Regardless, he was ejected. Fortunately, we didn’t need those runs.
More of my photos from today’s game here in the Illinois Baseball Report Gallery.
Now that I have some photos from the last few home games, I’ve changed the feed that points to the sidebar to right of this webpage. You’ll start seeing photos of this year’s games now. I’m also including photos of last Fall’s Orange and Blue Series and the Hot Stove banquet. Feel free to click on any photo and you’ll be taken to the gallery it is in.
Kelly Norris-Jones got on base twice in his start today
It seems Coach Hartleb was trying to shake the lineup up a little bit. He sat Will Krug and Jason Goldstein today. Pat McInerney, the normal DH, played right and Matthew James took his place. Casey Fletcher moved over to center. Kelly Norris-Jones took a turn behind the plate. Given the talents of Krug and Goldstein, I don’t think this is a permanent thing but it’s good to see James get some playing time. He’s bulked up a little since last year (he’s one of three Illini with two homers this year) and when he’s played, he produces for the team. As for Norris-Jones, no one handles the Illini pitching staff better than he does.
Fortunately for Krug and Goldy, they both made it into the game.
Next up
Sunday looks to be the rubber game between Illinois and Southern at Illinois Field. Game time is 1pm. John Kravetz is scheduled to be on the hill.