This past weekend, Illinois got the job done against the Purdue Boilermakers sweeping all three games. It wasn’t easy. Illinois battled the unseasonably cool and wet weather as well as pesky Purdue.
While the Illini won all three games by coming from behind. Most notably, Zac Taylor’s walk-off homerun on Friday night set the tone for the weekend. That’s Jacob Campbell scoring the winning run in the photos above.
This weekend’s sweep assures a spot for the Illini (34-16, 13-8 Big Ten) in the upcoming Big Ten Baseball Tournament! Clinching the tourney puts Illinois in a comfortable spot with one more series against 19-31 Michigan State.
Not only that, Illinois has risen to #23 in D1Baseball.com’s rankings. That’s the highest the team has been in the polls all year.
The most exciting news??? It’s this…
Wow, another NCAA Regional in Champaign?? It would be like 2015 all over again! First things first though. Let’s get the tourney done right.
Weekend recap
Friday: Illinois 5 Purdue 2
Zac Taylor was the big hero this game. It was a pitchers’ duel with Purdue taking a 2-1 lead at the top of the ninth inning. In the bottom of the ninth, Taylor fouled off four pitches before hitting a single. He got the green light and stole second before Jack Yalowitz drove him home with a base hit, tying the game (above).
Three innings later, it was Zac Taylor again. With Jacob Cambell and Branden on base, Zac broke the 2-2 tie hitting a walk-off homerun.
Reigning Big Ten Pitcher of the Week Andy Fisher did not get the win of course. He pitched superbly though. He went a full seven frames spreading seven hits and allowing one run and no walks while striking out three. Sean Leland got the W. It is his sixth win of 2019 at 6-2.
FightingIllini.com recap | Box Score | IBR photos
Saturday: Illinois 5 Purdue 4
I have to admit, I wasn’t sure Saturday’s game was going to happen. Originally scheduled for 3pm, it was pushed back to 6pm because of the rain. Then 6:30, then again to 7pm. It was cool and a bit wet but the game happened and Illinois found a way to win.
Tied at 4-4 in the seventh, Jack Yalowitz doubled in Cam McDonald for the eventual winning run. Both Yalowitz and Branden Comia contributed three hits to the cause.
Ryan Schmitt earned his fourth win of 2019 and Quinten Sefcik came on in the closer role for his second save.
FightingIllini.com recap | Box Score | IBR photos
Sunday: Illinois 6 Purdue 4
Illinois closed out their home season with another win against Purdue. Jeff Korte’s rbi triple keyed an Illini rally in the bottom of the sixth. Korte eventually scored on a sac fly by Michael Michalak.
Both teams used five pitchers each. Illinois’ Josh Harris earned his fourth win of 2019. Garrett Acton pitched a scoreless ninth for his 17th save which currently is tied for the lead nationally.
FightingIllini.com recap | Box Score | IBR photos (coming soon)
Random Ramblings
Andy Fisher is that good. Yes, he leads the Illini in wins with a 6-1 record (tied with Sean Leland’s 6-2 record). However, that mark doesn’t encapsulate Friday’s game which he pitched so well. Or the Friday game against Maryland (yeah, that one). In my opinion, I don’t think I’ve seen an Illini pitcher so dominating for eight innings as I did in that game.
Illinois certainly would not be in the position they are without Andy. I hope he can keep it up this weekend (and beyond!)
Tourney look: If you haven’t already, take a gander at the Big Ten Baseball Tournament Central web site. Now that Illinois has clinched a spot in the tourney, the pressure is off. With some more wins against Michigan State this weekend, they can improve their seed in the bracket.
Game 1 of the Big Ten Baseball Tournament begins at 9am on Wednesday, May 22.
Next up
Illinois will travel to Lansing to take on the Michigan State Spartans for a three-game series. Scheduling note: Because of the upcoming tournament, the Illinois-Michigan State series will begin on Thursday.
Many thanks to my partner Robin McElwee for the fabulous photos at the top of the article.