Were you worried? Just a little bit? I wasn’t.
Ok, maybe a little bit. When the University of Illinois lost all three against Louisiana-Lafayette two weekends ago, it does make one pause to think. But consider this. The Ragin’ Cajuns had the advantage of having played five games already. Not only that, they WON all those games so the Illini weren’t playing patsies.
Anyway, that was then, this is now. Last weekend, the Illini competed in the Al Ogletree Classic, Texas tournament style.
They came out of gate Friday night with something to prove against Sam Houston State. Boy, did they ever! The offense exploded for 14 runs and Lars Davis went 4 for 5 with 3 runs and 2 rbis. Ryan Hastings also knocked in 2. Illini wins 14-5.
Saturday they played University of Texas Pan-American. This was a tough battle. UTPA had a quick 3-0 lead but the Illini battled to tie it in 6th. Unfortunatly, UTPA scored two more to win 5-3. Kyle Hudson and Freshman Brandon Wikoff both went 2 for 4. UTPA wins 5-3.
Once again, the Illini had their batting shoes on. Against Stephen Austin, they totaled 16 hits and 11 runs. Shawn Roof tied a University of Illinois record with 4 stolen bases. And check out Lars Davis’ line again! He’s 3 for 6 with 2 runs and 2 rbis, Illini wins 11-5
Lars Davis, Shawn Roof, Brandon Wikoff, Scott Shaw, and Kyle Hudson were named to the All-Tournament Team, Congrats, guys!
As for the lineup the Illini is using here is what they used for Game 1 of the tournament.
Ryan Snowden lf Brandon Wikoff 3b Daniel Webb rf Mike Rohde 1b Mike Giller dh Shawn Roof ss Lars Davis c Ryan Hastings 2b Kyle Hudson cf
Coach Hartleb is not tied to this lineup though. They’re trying all kinds of alterations, as it were. They moved up Shawn Roof to the #2 hole for the third game. The DH position is being shared between Dom Altobelli, Mike Giller and who knows who else. Joe Bonadonna started at second for the third game and responded by going 1 for 3 with 2 runs and an rbi.
Next game: Friday, March 9 at Texas-Arlington, the first of a three game set.
Go Illini!