In my opinion, Illinois baseball’s 2022 season was an unqualified success despite their performance in the Big Ten Tournament. At the beginning of the season, they weren’t chosen to rank in the top six in the conference yet they battled and ended up tied for second in the standings.
To celebrate that, here are ten of my favorite photographs I’ve taken at Illinois Field this season. Some were taken at game-changing moments; others were just taken at the precise time to capture the right feeling.
They are the type of photos when I run across them, I take a moment to remember that feeling again. Here they are in no particular order…
Coach Curt Courtwright – September 27 Orange and Blue Game
Coach Curt Courtwright was all smiles during the fall annual intra-squad game in late September 2021. He liked what he saw.
Kellen Sarver – March 8 vs. Eastern Illinois
Kellen Sarver and his trippin’ shadez!
I always kept an eye on hometown native Kellen as he was one to keep things loose among his team in the dugout.
Branden Comia and Kellen Sarver – March 15 vs Butler
Early on in the season, I knew something was different with this Illinois baseball team with their intense intimacy. This is Kellen Sarver welcoming Branden Comia at home plate after his homerun.
The Butler catcher is showing his obvious disappointment.
Camden Janik – September 10 vs UI-Springfield
In this fall game against UI-Springfield, Camden Janik looks like he could be doing a fashion shoot for catcher gear.
Danny Doligale – May 13 vs Nebraska
When Danny Doligale hits a triple, he knows how to celebrate!
Andrew Kim – April 3 vs Purdue
Who can’t appreciate a pre-game photo of Andrew Kim having some fun with a little one in short center field? Andrew’s little friend seems to be considering him quite dubiously.
Taylor Jackson – May 13 vs Nebraska
After Taylor Jackson’s impactful homerun against Nebraska, there weren’t high fives or helmet bumps. He and his teammates introspectively huddled at home plate, something I had not seen before this season.
Danny Doligale – April 16 vs Northwestern
So many of my photos of Danny Doligale show him smiling. It’s obvious that he loves playing the game of baseball.
Here, he seem to be a state of bliss as he scores a run against Northwestern.
Justin Janas – September 10 vs UI Springfield
Firstbaseman Justin Janas is a fierce competitor and boy, it shows in this photo. It shows in his results too. Janas ended up hitting .343 for the Illini.
Cam McDonald – April 3 vs Purdue
This is one of my favorites of 2022. This pre-game photo shows that Cam McDonald balances his intensity with introspection. Because of this balance, Cam ended up with his record-breaking season.
I hope you enjoyed a last look at Illinois’ 2022 baseball season. If you’re looking for more, feel free to head on over to Illinois Baseball Report’s 2021-2022 photo galleries.