Rob McDonnell pitched five scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 1.14
I’m glad we got a home game in today. This is the last of a scheduled ten-game home stand (though yesterday’s game was canceled). The Illini made the most of it too. Starter Rob McDonnell (2-1) pitched five shutout innings against the Kent State Golden Flashes (10-10) to get his second win. The offense really came through with nine runs on twelve hits. While KSU made it a little interesting toward the end of the game, Illinois won 9-4 and their record stands at 18-5-1 as they head into the Big Ten season this weekend.
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Matt James hits a bases loaded triple in the 7th inning
Rob McDonnell set the tone for the game and the offense followed suit. McDonnell only allowed three hits and walked two in five scoreless innings. He struck out four KSU batters.
Pat McInerney got the Illini on the board with a rbi double in the first. Illinois was helped by a KSU error and a wild pitch in the 3rd inning. Add four Illinois hits to that and you have two more runs.
Jason Goldstein gets welcomed at home by Josh Ferry and David Kerian after scoring on Matt James’ triple
Illinois’ big inning came in the seventh inning when things got a little wild, literally. Kent State walked the bases loaded then Jason Goldstein walked getting himself a free rbi. Matt James then tripled with the bases juiced knocking in all three runners. All told, five runs scored in the seventh inning giving Illinois a 9-1 lead.
Things did get a little too interesting after the Golden Flashes scored two in the eighth inning then loading the bases in the ninth. Coach Hartleb had an ace up his sleeve though. He moved secondbaseman Reid Roper to the mound, firstbaseman David Kerian to second and Matt James to first.
Roper got the three outs needed with a hit interspersed. Only one more Kent State run scored on a sac fly.
Random Ramblings
You can find photos from today here.
David Kerian at second base. Hmm, what kind of thought went into that with capable second basemen on our bench? Well, I’m not the coach of a #17 ranked team so I won’t question it.
Will Krug steals his 7th base this season
Good to see Will Krug have a good day as a starter. He went 2 for 3 with a run scored. At .214, he is now batting above the above the Mendoza line. The same could be said for Ryan Nagle who had a slow start this season. He’s finally gotten into the groove. He had 3 hits today and finds the second spot in the lineup suits him. If he’s not getting a hit, he’s finding other ways on base (11 BB this season).
Next up
The Big Ten season is almost here!
In case you missed it, there’s been a change in the schedule for the upcoming Michigan State series this weekend. Long story short, the games have been pushed back a day with games being played on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Saturday, March 28 – Noon CT
Sunday, March 29 – Noon CT
Monday, March 30 – Noon CT