April 4, 2008

Illinois/Indiana Game Notes

Game 22-25 // Indiana

Series Insider
ILLINOIS (14-7 // 3-1) at Indiana (13-9 // 2-2)
Live Stats: Gametracker on fightingillini.com
Radio: Games 1-3 - WDWS AM-1400 // All Games - fightingillini.com (Dave Loane, play-by-play; Ben Taylor, analyst)
Series: ILL leads 98-60-1 // ILL leads 41-33-1 at Indiana
Last Year: Illinois swept the series, 4-0
Streak: W4

Game 1 Probables
Illinois: Kevin Manson (RHP, 3-0, 3.96 ERA)
Indiana: Tyler Tufts (RHP, 2-3, 5.82 ERA)

Game 2 Probables
Illinois: Scott Shaw (RHP, 2-1, 7.01 ERA)
Indiana: Matt Bashore (LHP, 2-2, 1.62 ERA)

Game 3 Probables
Illinois: Mike Stankiewicz (RHP, 2-2, 4.78 ERA)
Indiana: TBA

Game 4 Probables
Illinois: Aaron Martin (RHP, 3-2, 2.57 ERA)
Indiana: Eric Arnett (RHP, 2-0, 4.37 ERA)

Last ILL Sweep: 2007
Last ILL 3-1 Series: 2005
Last Split: 2004
Last IND 3-1 Series: 2006
Last IND Sweep: 1976 (Two-game series)

Illinois is...
...8-1 in its last 9 games
...11-2 in last 13 games
...12-2 when scoring first
...12-0 when out-hitting its opponent
...11-5 when the starter gets the decision
...11-0 when leading after 7 innings (5 in doubleheader)

Illini Line Drives
• We're Going Streaking!: Illinois has caught fire recently, winning eight of its last nine games and 11 of its last 13. It is Illinois' best stretch since a nine-game winning streak in 2006.

• Little Big League: The Fighting Illini are currently in the middle of a stretch where they will play 16 games in 18 days, a period spanning from March 29-April 15. It is the most compacted stretch of games since the 1982 team also played 16 games in 18 days. In comparison, eight Major League teams play 15 games in the first 18 days of their season.

• Take a Look at Those Arms: Illinois' pitching has been stellar in the last 12 games, lowering the team ERA by 1.75 runs. During that span, the Illini hurlers have allowed just 42 earned runs in 99 innings, an ERA of 3.81, while striking out 52 and walking 39. Illinois' team ERA of 5.15 is the Illini's lowest total through 24 games since the 2005 squad posted a 3.47 ERA in the same number of games.

• Take a Look at Those Arms, Pt. 2: In Illinois' last five games, the pitching staff has allowed just eight earned runs and hasn't given up more than two runs in any game for an ERA of 1.80. Mike Stankiewicz and Scott Shaw each turned in complete-game efforts against Michigan State.

• Hudson's Hot Start: Kyle Hudson has had a strong start to the season, hitting .400 with a team-high 23 runs and an eye-popping .490 on-base percentage, which ranks third in the Big Ten. Hudson currently leads the Illini in hits (32). runs (23), on-base percentage (.490), walks (14) and stolen bases (15), and stands No. 4 on the career hitting list with a .369 average.

• Who Says He Can't Hit Third?: Shortstop Brandon Wikoff has taken hold of the No. 3 spot in the batting order, hitting .397 in the No. 3 hole so far this season. Wikoff raked at a .467 clip on Spring Trip while hitting exclusively in the third spot. Wikoff has been very consistent during Illinois' last 15 games, collecting a hit in 14 of them and racking up a career-best 10-game hitting streak before going hitless in the second game at Michigan State.

• Lacing Up Their Hitting Shoes: Illinois had an exceptional last 13 games at the plate, raising the team batting average 77 points over that span. The Illini had a string of nine straight games with 10 or more hits from March 15-29 and have had double-digit hits in 12 of the last 14 games. Illinois is averaging 12.4 hits and 7.8 runs over that 14-game span.

• Illini Turn on Power: After having five doubles as their only extra-base hits through the first seven games, the Illini have displayed some power recently, hitting 32 doubles, seven triples and 10 homers in the last 14 games. Additionally, Illinois has recorded at least one double in each of the last 14 games.

• Martin's Masterful Start: Aaron Martin has allowed just two earned runs in his last 20 1/3 innings, including a complete-game shutout against Maryland-Baltimore County and four shutout innings in a start against Indiana State. He has allowed only 19 hits over that span along with four walks and eight strikeouts. Against UMBC, Martin tied a career high with five strikeouts.

• Alto Hitting High Notes: Dominic Altobelli started his third Big Ten campaign strong, going 7-for-16 (.438), which ranks him 10th in conference-only hitting. He also doubled twice, scored three runs and drove in two.

• Born to Run: Illinois also has become more active on the basepaths recently, converting 23 of its last 28 steal attempts, inculding a string of 10 straight steals from March 21-29. This streak comes after the Illini opened the season by swiping eight consecutive bases.

• Illini Post Best Defense in Big Ten: The Illini currently are tied for second in the Big Ten in batting average with a .322 team mark and lead the conference with a .977 fielding percentage. Illinois also leads the league in on-base percentage (.407) and walks allowed (59), and has committed the fewest errors among conference teams (18).

• Purdue Series Times Changed: Two of the starting times for games in Illinois' season-ending series with Purdue have been changed because of the Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships being held at the Illinois Track and Soccer Complex that weekend. Thursday's game will remain a 6:05 start, but Friday's doubleheader will begin at 4:05 p.m. and Saturday's final game will start at 7:05 p.m.

Illini Look to Stay Hot at Indiana
This weekend's series features two of the Big Ten's hottest teams in the Fighting Illini and Indiana, both winners of eight of their last 10 games. Michigan and Purdue also have posted an .800 winning percentage in their last 10 games. The Illini are nearing the end of a string of games in which 10 of 11 are away from Illinois Field, with Wednesday's game against Saint Louis being Illinois' only home game between March 26 and April 11.

Illinois started the Big Ten season strong at Michigan State last weekend, winning three of four against the Spartans. Sandwiched around that series, the Illini won games against Judson and Indiana State last week and defeated Southern Illinois and Saint Louis this week. The Hoosiers are nearly as hot as Illinois, having won three straight and eight of their last 10. Indiana earned a series split at Minnesota to open Big Ten play last weekend.

Illini Lead All-Time Series with Hoosiers
Illinois leads the all-time series with Indiana by a 98-60-1 margin, including a 41-33-1 lead in games played in Bloomington. The last time the teams met at Sembower Field, the series also was delayed by rain so they played Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Indiana took three of four in that series in 2006, but the Illini rebounded the following week to split at Michigan State and reach the Big Ten Tournament.

Last Year Against Indiana
Last year's series with Indiana was all Fighting Illini as Illinois swept the Hoosiers by scores of 6-5, 3-0, 5-2 and 7-2. In the opener, closer Jake Toohey pitched an electrifying 1 1/3 innings to slam the door on Indiana, striking out the final two hitters and stranding two runners in scoring position. Shawn Roof also broke the single-season stolen base record on Friday with his 36th steal.

On Saturday, Mike Stankiewicz fired a complete-game six-hitter for his second shutout of the season, needing just 80 pitches. In the nightcap, the Illini scored four runs with two outs in the sixth to take a 5-2 victory. In the series finale, Illinois scored three in the first inning before Indiana cut the lead to 3-2 in the third, starter Kevin Manson's final inning of work. Senior reliever Brian Long came in and threw five near-perfect innings of relief, giving up just one hit and one walk as the Illini scored three more in the fifth and another in the sixth to ice a 7-2 win and get the sweep.

Last Time Out: MSU, SIU, Saint Louis
Illinois is 5-1 in its last six games, taking three of four at Michigan State, defeating Southern Illinois, 5-2, on Tuesday and whipping Saint Louis, 9-2, on Wednesday. The Illini won the first three games at MSU, sweeping a doubleheader on Saturday, 9-5 and 2-0, then split Sunday's doubleheader by scores of 5-3 and 2-3. The teams played a pair of doubleheaders because Friday's game was postponed after snowfall on Thursday night rendered the field unplayable.

Illinois then traveled to Rent One Park in Marion, Ill., home of the Frontier League's Southern Illinois Miners, on Tuesday to face the Salukis. SIU took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning, but Billy Barrett worked out of a bases-loaded no-out jam in the fifth with a strikeout and an inning-ending double play, then his offense took over with a three-run sixth inning to take a 5-2 lead. Mike Sterk finished the game with three scoreless innings to earn his first career save as Illinois defeated SIU for the seventh-straight time.

On Wednesday, the Illini took a no-hitter into the ninth before Saint Louis managed its first hit. Four different Illinois pitchers combined to keep the Billikens hitless through eight innings, while Dominic Altobelli and Nick Stockwell each homered to power the offense. Kyle Hudson went 2-for-5 with three steals and two runs, while Stockwell was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run. Daniel Webb continued his hot streak, going 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run. Nick Chmielewski started and notched his first win as an Illini, tossing three shutout innings.

Illini Open Big Ten 3-1 for First Time in 3 Years
With a series victory at Michigan State last weekend, the Illini opened Big Ten play 3-1 or better for the first time since 2005 when they swept Ohio State to open the Big Ten season. In the 27 years the Big Ten has played four-game series, Illinois has finished the first weekend above .500 15 times and has been 2-2 or 1-1 five times.

Illinois in Middle of 16 Games in 18 Days
The Fighting Illini are in the middle of their tightest-packed stretch of schedule in 27 years, playing 16 games in 18 days from March 29-April 15. Included in that span are series against Michigan State, Indiana and Michigan, as well as four midweek games. The last time Illinois played as many games in such a short time period was April 10-28, 1982, when the Illini also played 16 games in 18 days. In fact, Illinois plays more games during that span than eight MLB teams play in the season's first 18 days. Here's a look at the five toughest stretches of schedule in the last 30 years:

Year	Games	Days	Dates
2008	16	18	March 29-April 15
2002	17	21	March 30-April 16
1986	14	16	March 19-30
1982	16	18	April 10-28
1977	15	15	March 13-21

Illini Staff Racks Up Quality Starts
Illinois starting rotation has been on fire lately, putting together five quality starts spanning the Michigan State series and the game against SIU, allowing just nine earned runs while posting two complete games during that span. A quality start is defined as pitching six or more innings while giving up three or fewer earned runs. The Illini are 5-2 when receiving one from a starter.

Mike Stankiewicz tossed a four-hit shutout in the second game of the Michigan State series and Scott Shaw also fired a complete game against the Spartans. Kevin Manson allowed three earned runs in six innings in the series' first game, while Aaron Martin gave up a pair of earned runs in 7 1/3 innings in the series finale. Billy Barrett then got in on the action on Tuesday, allowing just two earned runs in six innings against Southern Illinois. Check page 5 for a complete listing of Illinois' quality starts this season.

Martin Rolling Over Opposition
Aaron Martin has been stellar of late, going 2-1 with a 0.89 ERA in 20.1 innings in his last three starts. He threw a complete-game shutout against Maryland-Baltimore County on March 18, then threw five shutout innings against Indiana State on March 26. He followed it up with a strong start to open Big Ten play, allowing just two earned runs in 7 1/3 innings at Michigan State but taking the hard-luck loss. For the season, Martin is 3-2 with a sparkling 2.57 ERA and has allowed just four walks in 28 innings.

Reeser Shuts the Door
Following a rough 2007 season in the bullpen, Ben Reeser has adjusted well to his new closer role this season, sporting a 2-0 ERA with three saves and a team-best 2.30 ERA in 15 2/3 innings. Reeser has given up just 11 hits and three walks while striking out 10 for a .193 opponent batting average. He has been especially effective when runners do reach base, allowing foes to hit just .167. Also, right-handed hitters have managed just a .176 average against him.

Hudson Streaking Through 2008
Center fielder Kyle Hudson already has put together two solid hitting streaks in just 15 games. Hudson started the year with a six-game string before going 0-for-3 against Eastern Kentucky. Then he posted nine consecutive games with a hit from March 15-29, eight of those being multiple-hit games, including three-hit games against Miami (OH), the second game of the doubleheader against Central Connecticut State and Judson. He is now hitting a robust .400 with 13 RBIs and a team-best 23 runs.

Webb Delivers in Bunches
The 2007 Illini team had players post just five different games with four or more RBIs. But designated hitter Daniel Webb was impressive over Spring Trip, posting consecutive four-RBI games against Akron and Maryland-Baltimore County. After going 0-for-4 against the Zips, Webb had Ryan Hastings intentionally walked ahead of him to load the bases. He then stepped up with a walk-off line-drive grand slam to give the Illini a 15-11 win. The next day, Webb stayed hot with a 3-for-4 outing with a two-run homer and a two-run single.

Altobelli Comes of Age
After two years of bouncing in and out of the Illini lineup, Dominic Altobelli has found a regular spot at third base this season, thanks to a combination of improved hitting and defense. Altobelli is currently hitting .333 with a team-high three homers and 17 RBIs, which is second on the squad. He also has been clutch so far, hitting .409 with two outs and advancing runners at a .558 clip. In fact, seven of his RBIs have come with two outs.

Illinois Returns to Stealing Ways
Illinois has had three big base-stealing weekends, swiping 8-of-9 bags in the season's first weekend, stealing 10-of-14 on Spring Trip and converting on 9-of-13 at Michigan State. Kyle Hudson and Brandon Wikoff each stole four bags on Spring Trip, while Joe Bonadonna was 2-for-2 on the basepaths. Hudson was 3-for-3 at MSU, Bonadonna was 2-for-2 and four other Illini each stole one base.

*Complete game notes in attached PDF.