Illinois baseball take two from #10 Oklahoma State

David Kerian adds some late-inning excitement in Oklahoma on Sunday

Illinois baseball finished out their road trip with a solid weekend against nationally ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys down in Stillwater, Oklahoma.  The Illini took two of three games winning games on Friday and Sunday and dropping Saturday’s contest. 

The series win was the first time Illinois has won a series against a top ten team since the much heralded win against LSU in 2009. That’s appropriate since this puts them at 11-3-1 which is the best start for an Illini baseball team since that same 2009 season.  Oklahoma State’s loss on Sunday takes them down to 8-6 for the year.

 

 

 

Friday night starter Kevin Duchene picked up right where he left off last weekend.  Against the Cowboys, he was again lights out.  He took a no-hitter through six innings.  Overall, he allowed just one run and three hits in seven innings while striking out seven Cowboys. 

Tyler Jay pitched 1 2/3 innings without giving up a run and earned his 4th save.

Adam Walton (above) was the offensive sparkplug for the Illini.  He had a career game going 3 for 5 with a homer and a triple and three rbis.  It helped to have someone to drive in and Will Krug was happy to oblige.  Now batting 9th, his offense picked up.  He went 2 for 3 and scored twice.

 

 

 

 

 

On Saturday, the Illini were out to prove they could beat the OSU Cowboys again but it just wasn’t in the cards.  The Illini were simply outpitched and outhit. 

That’s not to say Drasen Johnson pitched badly (5 R, 3 ER and 5 H in 6 1/3 IP).  But once again, he didn’t quite get the support we’d like from the offense. 

The one run for the Illini came on Jason Goldstein’s solo homerun in the top of the eighth inning, his second of the season. 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday’s game finished on a exciting note.  Tied after nine innings, David Kerian hit a two-run homerun in the top of the 10th to put Illinois up 4-2.  Tyler Jay pitched his third inning of the game to get the win to up his record to 3-0. 

Starting pitcher John Kravetz gets a little credit here.  He kept the Cowboys at bay for seven innings allowing just two runs and five hits.  Also deserving of kudos is Pat McInerney (above).  Pat “the Bat” went 3 for 5 and scored two of Illinois’ four runs.

 

Random Ramblings

Nifty stats

I hesitate to even bring this up because I don’t want to jinx anyone.  Has anyone seen Tyler Jay’s stats recently?  He ‘s 3-0 with 4 saves and has yet to give up a run this season.  The starting rotation has pretty much done everything expected of them as well.  More stats on the Fighting Illini web site.

Roster Talk

I noticed that Casey Fletcher has been batting second in the lineup now.  Perhaps some of the logic behind that is because of his team high 13 walks.  He also leads the team with a .463 on base percentage. 

Pat McInerney has been a valuable part-time outfielder so far this season.  He’s only started in eight games but has driven in seven runs and is hitting .344.  Somehow, he is finding himself in the headlines quite often and coming through with some clutch hits. 

Home Game on Tuesday!!

This Tuesday is Illinois baseball’s first home game!  On March 10th, Illinois will host the Chicago State Cougars at Illinois Field at 3pm. The price is right.  All home games are free.  So come on out the to the game and bring some friends.  The weather is looking ok with a high of 57 and a low of 36. 

See you at the ballpark!