The Lexington Regional is now complete and unfortunately, Illinois did not advance to the Super Regionals. They made a good showing of it making it to the semi-final game on Sunday but lost that game to Indiana State.
Game 1: Illinois 4 Indiana 1
Ironically, Illinois won at the Lexington Regional on pitching not for their famed hitting. If I had to pick an Illini player of the tournament, it would be Friday’s starter Jack Crowder.
Against Indiana State, Crowder pitched his best game of 2024 by hurling 106 pitches through eight innings. He gave up just three hits and no walks. Certainly good for win #7 for Jack. Closer Joe Glassey came in to shut the Sycamores down for his ninth save.
Drake Westcott drove home two runs on a base hit in the third inning. He later scored on a Brody Harding single. A passed ball allowed Connor Milton to score an extra run.
Winning the first game in a double elimination tournament is so important and put Illinois in a good position. We knew at the time that they would play into Sunday. Western Michigan wasn’t so lucky.
Game 2: Kentucky 6 Illinois 1
I’m guessing there is an enormous pressure playing against the host team in tournaments like these. To give you an idea, there were over 6,000 in attendance for this game.
Offense was quite limited on Saturday. Kentucky pitching kept Illinois to just one run driven in by a Brody Harding single.
Starter Payton Hutchings didn’t do a half-bad job considering the task he was asked to do. He gave up just four hits in five innings. But it wasn’t enough as it forced a rematch with Indiana State.
Day 3: Indiana State 13 Illinois 2
Oh boy. Not a lot of things went right in the game that would eventually eliminate Illinois from the Lexington Regional. The Illini were simply out-hit and out-pitched by Indiana State.
After the top of ninth, a Kentucky-style thunderstorm rolled in. There was a 30-minute delay in the game before the sun came out and the game resumed. And wouldn’t you know it? Ryan Moerman belted a homerun to center, the first one by an Illini in the tournament.
I’m glad we could end with a small bit of happiness.
See all my photos from the 2024 season in the IBR photo gallery.
Indiana State faced Kentucky in the regional final. Kentucky shut out the Sycamores 5-0 and advances to the Super Regional which they will host.
On a positive note, Ryan Moerman was named to the 2024 NCAA Lexington Regional All-Tournament Team.
Random Ramblings
In my opinion, the Regional was very well run by Kentucky Athletics. These kind of events are not easy to pull off and they did it. To be frank, they probably have a lot of experience. Nevertheless, I found the staff very hospitable and friendly (the weather, not so much).
The fan base of Kentucky baseball is massive. I was impressed by their team loyalty as evidenced by their willingness to stand in line for blocks in a downpour to enter Kentucky Proud Park.
Speaking of, I really enjoyed Kentucky Proud Park. If you wish, you are able to walk around the stadium which my wife and I did to get some time together. One of the Illini parents made the point that the promotion staff did a good job of broadcasting ‘neutral’ rallying music between batters. That kind of thing matters at tournaments.
And yes, I’m ready to give kudos to the Kentucky baseball team who won it all. The Wildcats managed to defeat each team in the Regional and earned the right to advance.
Thanks to the Illinois family for inviting me and my wife to tailgate before each game! It was great to chat with Dan Hutchings, Gary Bennett, the Miltons, the Schroeders and others. I even caught up with former Illini pitcher Lee Zerrusen. We talked about his game against Ohio State at the Big Ten Tournament.
Anyway, thanks to Howard Milton for the initial invite. My wife and I felt part of the family.
Finally and this is a big one, thank you to the Illinois baseball players for an incredible 2024 season! I can honestly say that 2024 has been the most fun season I have witnessed since I have been following the team. Such chemistry and excitement!
The regional aside, never before have I seen an opponent get off to a 3-0 lead and I would think ‘oh, Illinois hasn’t had their big inning yet’. But I did this season. Because you did. Consistently.
Plain and simple, you were just a fun team to watch. You should be very proud.
thank you, Illinois!
Hey people!!!!!
Good mood and good luck to everyone!!!!!