May 25, 2008

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Sophomore starting pitcher Kevin Manson (Park Ridge, Ill.) was one of four pitchers named to the All-Big Ten Tournament team following the completion of the tournament Saturday night. Manson tossed a four-hit complete game, the first of his career, to lift the fourth-seeded Illini to a 3-2 win over No. 5 Ohio State in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.

Illinois' No. 1 starter was nearly unhittable against the Buckeyes, allowing only a pair of unearned runs and not walking a batter while striking out four. He faced just four hitters more than the minimum, setting down the OSU hitters in order in six of nine innings. He also retired 10 consecutive batters prior to allowing a leadoff single in the ninth.

Manson went to a three-ball count only one time and threw a first-pitch strike to 22 of 31 hitters (70 percent). He was very efficient, throwing just 96 pitches in the nine-inning effort, 67 for strikes (69.8 percent), in his finest outing in the Orange and Blue.

Manson is Illinois' first All-Big Ten Tournament selection since Shawn Roof was honored at third base in 2005. He was one of four pitchers to not allow an earned run in the tournament and one of three hurlers to compile a tournament-best .133 opponent batting average.

All-Big Ten Tournament Team
P - Chris Fetter, Michigan
P - Zach Putnam, Michigan
P - Michael Powers, Michigan
P - Kevin Manson, ILLINOIS
C - Dan Black, Purdue
1B - Jerrud Sabourin, Indiana
2B - Cory Kovanda, Ohio State
3B - Adam Abraham, Michigan
SS - Tyler Cox, Indiana
OF - Chris Hervey, Indiana
OF - Kevin Cislo, Michigan
OF - John Moore, Purdue
DH - Rob Yodice, Penn State / Michael Earley, Indiana

Most Outstanding Player: Michael Powers, Michigan