Matthew James dual role pays off in no-hitter for Lexington

It’s a new one on me.  Illini infielder Matthew James can pitch.  Apparently pretty well.  And James (right) pitched REALLY well on Saturday as he threw a complete  game no-hitter for the Lexington Snipes against the Joliet Admirals.  Behind James’ pitching, the Snipes defeated the Admirals 6-1.  The line on…

Continue reading

Drasen Johnson shuts down Michigan 1-0

Drasen Johnson makes do with one run For the first time since 1969, Illinois Baseball has won two consecutive 1-0 shutouts.  Last night’s win against Michigan was behind the performance of Drasen Johnson who has gotten used to little support from the Illini offense.  Fortunately, one run was all he…

Continue reading

Illini sweep the Wildcats behind Kravetz’ strong Sunday performance

Eight shutout innings for John Kravetz For the second time this weekend, the Illini shut out Northwestern.  On Sunday, John Kravetz pitched a career high scoreless eight innings for his third win of season.   The Illinois offense managed just one run today but that’s all they would need behind Kravetz’…

Continue reading

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…

Continue reading

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,…

Continue reading

Sweep! Illini pitching key in tourney wins in Gainesville

  Now even I’m quite impressed after this weekend’s performance by the Illini down in Gainesville, Florida.  After starting the year 2-4 they once again heading down to south, always considered college baseball territory. Indeed, they were going to face #23 University of Florida twice in a four game tournament…

Continue reading

Illinois rebounds against Coastal Carolina, 5-4

Ryan Nagle: Eight rbis for the season With help from sophomore Ryan Nagle’s bat, Drasen Johnson got his first win of the season against a tough Coastal Carolina baseball team.  Nagle helped the cause with a 3-run double in the fifth inning.  It wasn’t easy especially coming off a disappointing…

Continue reading

Kevin Duchene shuts down Nits, 9-0

Kevin Duchene mowed down the opposition in Friday’s contest Wow! We just need about five more games like these and we might be set.  Kevin Duchene pitched one of the best performances we’ve seen this season tonight against Penn State.  Throwing a complete game two-hit shutout, Duchene struck out 11…

Continue reading

Nine K Shutout for Johnson against Wildcats

The baseball fans at Rocky Miller Park were treated to a pitchers’ duel extraordinaire today.  Both Illinois starter Kevin Johnson and Northwestern pitcher Francis Brooke pitched complete games and between the two of them, only one earned run was allowed.  Fortunately for Johnson, he had just enough offense behind him…

Continue reading