Pat McInerney made things interesting with his 5th homer of the year
Despite Sunday’s exciting game against Southern Illinois, the Illini couldn’t take advantage of opportunities and ended up losing both ends of a doubleheader. Illinois lost the first game against Toledo 10-4. SIU took the second game 3-1.
Illinois (5-11) won the first game of the weekend’s tournament against Toledo on Friday but lost three straight since then. The Toledo Rockets went on to win the rest of their games at the round robin tournament hosted at Illinois Field.
For the weekend, leadoff hitter Jack Yalowitz went 8 for 17 with nine rbis and two homeruns. He is Illinois’ leading hitter with a .400 batting average. Pat McInerney hit two homers for the weekend to add to his team lead of five.
Sunday’s games:
| Game #15 / March 19, 2017 | ||||
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I have to hand it to the Toledo Rockets. They came into this weekend’s tourney with a 2-14 record but buckled down and came out of it with the best record of the weekend with a 3-1 mark. On Sunday, they sure handed the Illini a big loss.
There was no doubt about this one. No quick for the Illini and no comeback. By the 5th inning, it was already 9-2 Toledo.
Jack Yalowitz (above) continued to hit with a 2-5 performance with a triple and two rbis. The bullpen again was effective as Ryan Thompson and Zak Devermann shut the Rockets down in the last 3 2/3 innings.
Illinois Baseball Report photos for Friday
| Game #16 / March 19, 2017 | ||||
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The Illini definitely had their chances against the Salukis. Though they only had four hits for the game, they loaded the bases in the fifth and eighth innings. Unfortunately, none of those baserunners scored. The only run the Illini plated came courtesy of Pat McInerney’s fifth homerun of the year.
Illinois also wasted a decent appearance by Luke Shilling. Shill gave up all three runs in six innings but struck out 8 batters. Quinten Sefcik and Joey Gerber kept the Salukis scoreless for the balance of the game.
Illinois Baseball Report photos for Friday
Random Ramblings
I’m beginning to realize what a talent the Illini have in Jack Yalowitz. Yes, he is hitting .400 with 20 rbis for the season but during the game against Toledo, I saw what he really brought to the team. With two out and Anthony Drago on first, Jack fouled off six straight pitches until he got one he liked and roped a triple down the right field line to score Drago.
In fact, Yalo would have another nine-pitch at-bat later in the game.
I want to go on the record and say that these Illini baseball fans are awesome. They started the Row! Row! Row chant for Dan Rowbottom last year (and had a chance to do it again Sunday) but are rooting for all the players now and are really getting the other fans involved in the game.
Keep it up!!
Next up
Hey check it out! There’s another home game tomorrow! Illinois State will be visiting Illinois Field Tuesday. Cyrillo Watson is the scheduled starter.
Game time is 4:05!!
See you at the ballpark!