McDonnell, Goldstein give home crowd a treat against Indiana State, 8-0

Rob McDonnell notches his first college win Behind the strong pitching of Rob McDonnell and the bat of catcher Jason Goldstein, the Illinois baseball (8-9) won their home opener at Illinois Field today against the Indiana State Sycamores (14-3).  A common thread of discussion among the crowd was that pitching…

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Illinois Baseball ‘Topped’ by WKU in three straight

A hard luck loss by Drasen Johnson on Sunday Illinois starting pitching was on target this weekend but that wasn’t enough for the Illini baseball squad.  A lack of offense contributed to a sweep by the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers down in Bowling Green.  After an uplifting tournament a week ago,…

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Illinois Baseball: 2014 season preview

The Fighting Illini Baseball program released their official 2014 season preview on Friday.  Complete and thorough, it answers a few questions.   In a nutshell, the young 2014 team has lost its entire outfield and the left side of the infield from last year but the pitching staff is relatively…

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Illini baseball work up a sweat on Media Day

The temps were hovering around zero degrees this afternoon but that didn’t stop me from seeing a little baseball.  Granted, it was just practice but considering it’s January in Illinois, I was still thrilled. Reid Roper is interview by TV media.  By the way, that’s Illini Baseball Assistant Sports Information…

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More photos from Saturday’s Hot Stove Banquet

Just a few more fun photos I took at last night’s Fighting Illini Baseball Hot Stove Banquet.  Photo op before the event.  From left to right, Dugout Club President Jon Swenson, Chris Robinson and Coach Dan Hartleb.   Former Illini Chris Robinson and Kyle Hudson greet each other at the…

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Justin Parr, Kevin Duchene and Co. honored by Big Ten

On the eve of the Big Ten Baseball Tournament opening day, the conference awards were announced and the Fighting Illini were represented quite well.  For starters, Illini players wrapped up two big awards.  First the big news, centerfielder Justin Parr was named Big Ten Player of the Year.  Following that…

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Illinois wins rubber game vs Northwestern, 5-3

Justin Parr advances to third in today’s victory against the Wildcats Sunday’s conclusion of the Illinois-Northwestern series at Illinois Field included just about everything… a Justin Parr hit (two, actually) to extend his hitting streak, a comeback for the Illini (26-3, 8-7 Big Ten) and a perhaps too-exciting-but-successful-nonetheless save for…

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Roper, Kerian key Illini comeback vs Purdue 6-4

  Reid Roper launches one to win it Last night, we had a slugfest against Purdue.  Today, there weren’t as many runs but it certainly wasn’t any less exciting.  Down by a run in the bottom of the eighth inning, David Kerian singled home the tying run and was followed…

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Illini Baseball outslug Purdue Friday, 17-12

  Thomas Lindauer got Illinois off to a good start with his seventh homerun of 2013 Illinois and Purdue got off to a raucous start Friday night when both teams scored 12 runs in the 40-minute first inning alone.  It wasn’t over yet either.  Both teams combined for 29 runs…

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Parr, Johnson key opener win against Tennessee Tech, 13-2

  Game #1 / February 15, 2013 vs 13 2 The Illinois Baseball players gave Coach Dan Hartleb a pretty nice birthday present today.  An opening day win. Today, pretty much everything went right for the Illini as they defeated the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Cookeville. …

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