Will Krug drives in two key runs against ISU
On Tuesday night at Duffy Bass Field in Normal, Illinois scored seven runs late in the game to come back against the Illinois State Redbirds. Down 3-2 in the eighth, the Fighting Illini offense scored five runs in the final two innings to win their 11th straight game 7-3. Reliever Andrew Mamlic earned his second win of the year and Nick Blackburn notched his first save.
The #11-ranked Illini have now reached the 30-win plateau with a 30-6-1 record and are off to their best start ever. They are now tied for first place with Iowa in the Big Ten conference.
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The four-run 8th inning was key in tonight’s game. Ryan Nagle and Casey Fletcher started it off with a pair of singles. It was a pinch hit base hit by Will Krug that drove in two runs which made the difference in the game. The Fighting Illini added one more in the ninth when Reid Roper drove home Adam Walton.
Big offensive performers: Reid Roper 2 for 5, run, rbi, Ryne Roper 3 for 4, rbi, Will Krug 1 for 1, 2 rbis
Starter Rob McDonnell gave up five walks in 4 1/3 innings but in the end, it didn’t hurt the Illini too much. He only allowed one run on three hits. Andrew Mamlic (in photo) ups his record to 2-0 for his 2/3 innings of work in the seventh inning while Blackburn pitched two scoreless frames and earned his first save of the season.
Random Ramblings
It’s always the midweek games… Generally, we seem to have trouble with them but this year we have yet to lose one. Illinois is 7-0 this year in the midweek contests. Illinois came out of this one okay but perhaps this comeback win is a wakeup call for the tough Indiana series coming up.
The Jason Goldstein train keeps chuggin’ along. With his single in the second inning, his hit streak is at 12 games now.
Next up
Big series coming up this weekend. An explosive Indiana lineup is coming to Illinois Field for a three-game series. Game time on Friday is 6pm but if you’re hungry, come early. That’s the date for the Bleacher Bum BBQ!
Way to go, Illini!