Victory leap!
It was a sunny day at Illinois Field and the balls were flying out of the park. In fact, every run scored today was the result of a homerun. The good news is that Illinois (17-4-1) came out ahead of the South Florida Bulls (15-8-1) in the end by the score of 5-2. That put the Illini up two games to none in the three game weekend series with one game left on Sunday. That also gives Illinois its fifth straight win and seventh win in eight games.
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Just two earned runs for Drasen Johnson who get his 3rd win
Starter Drasen Johnson pitched a fine game giving up just two solo homers in 7 2/3 innings. He allowed six hits and walked none while striking out six Bulls. Johnson is now 3-1 with a 1.85 ERA. With three homeruns by the Illini today, Drasen can hopefully say he has shaken the curse of lack of support he was plagued with earlier this season.
David Kerian got things started with a solo homer…
“That’s nice, David. Now, it’s my turn”, says Matt James….
…“Told ya”
Offensively, David Kerian got things going for the Illini with a solo shot in the second inning. He now leads the Illini with five homers. The next batter, Matt James, followed that up with a homerun of his own, his third of the year, putting the Illini up 2-0. The Bulls scored on a solo shot in the fourth inning bringing the score within one run.
Casey Fletcher puts the game out of reach in the sixth with a 3-run HR
Fletcher has been very clutch for the Illini in 2015 with late inning rbi hits. Today was no exception. With two runners on in the sixth inning, Fletcher put the game out of reach with a three-run loooonng bomb to right field. That is his third dinger of the year and gives him 15 rbis for the season.
JD Nielsen came in to get the last out of the eighth inning which he did with no problem. Tyler Jay was called on to get the save in the ninth. He pitched a perfect ninth with one strikeout and earned his fifth save. His 2015 scoreless streak has been extended to 23 1/3 innings.
Random Ramblings
Beautiful day for taking photos. You can find them here. Good to see a great crowd! We broke 1,000 in attendance today.
Wow, another impressive win. Let’s keep it going. The USF Bulls starter tomorrow is 3-0 with a 1.32 ERA. Be nice to hand him his first loss. Hard to believe that tomorrow’s starter John Kravetz is 1-0 with his nifty 1.83 ERA. A win is a win though and I know John K isn’t looking at stats.
A few of us fans were talking about the new PA sound effects that we’re now hearing as of this year. I must admit it, I like a lot of them. My favorite… the bell tolling when Illinois is winning and two outs in the bottom of the ninth.
Next up
The Illini will attempt a sweep of the USF Bulls on Sunday. Get out there early! The teams take the field for an 11am start time. John Kravetz (1-0, 1.83 ERA) will be on the mound for the Illini.
See you at the ballpark!