Feb. 18, 2015
Quick Hits
Illinois is 4-0 for the first time since 2000. It is the 22nd time in school history an Illini team has won its first four games of the season.
The best start ever by Illinois was in 1910 when UI went undefeated with a 14-0 record.
Illinois is 1 of 90 teams without a loss in NCAA Division I baseball entering the second weekend.
Illinois is ranked No. 26 in Collegiate Baseball's Top-30 poll and received votes in the NCBWA, D1 Baseball and College Baseball Central polls.
The Warren Nolan Power Index (NPI) had the Illini ranked No. 1 following the first weekend.
Illinois allowed a combined seven runs in its first four games, marking the fewest allowed to start the season since 1973 (also 7 runs in first four games).
UI's four starting pitchers - Drasen Johnson, Rob McDonnell, John Kravetz and Tyler Jay - combined for a 0.34 ERA over 26.1 innings pitched with 25 strikeouts and only eight hits and three walks at the season-opening Lamar Cardinal Classic.
Offensively, Illinois leads the Big Ten in average (.357), runs (26), walks (19), hits (55), RBI (22) and on-base percentage (.428).
In pitching categories, the Illini staff leads the Big Ten in ERA (1.46), strikeouts (35), runs allowed (7), opposing batting average (.130), hit allowed (16) and innings pitched (37).
Weekend Preview
Illinois will play three games at Swanson Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida, this weekend (Feb. 20-22). The Illini will face Florida Gulf Coast on Friday and Sunday with a tilt against Fordham on Saturday. UI is 4-1 all-time against FGCU, downing the Eagles in both games last year in Gainesville. Illinois will play Fordham for the first time in school history.
Last Time Out
Illinois swept its opening weekend at the Lamar Cardinal Classic for its first 4-0 start in 15 years. The Illini began the year with consecutive comeback victories over New Mexico State followed by impressive offensive performances in wins over Lamar. The Orange and Blue outscored their opponents 26-7 on the trip.
McDonnell Big Ten Award
Redshirt-senior Rob McDonnell was voted Big Ten Pitcher of the Week for the first time in his career. He racked up a career-high 10 strikeouts in seven scoreless innings against New Mexico State (2/14). He needed just 77 pitches to work through the longest outing of his career.
Kravetz Reaches 20 Career Wins
Senior John Kravetz is the 13th pitcher in school history to win 20 or more career games. He is in a six-way tie for eighth place on the Illinois all-time list. Mark Dressen (1989-92) and current pitching coach Drew Dickinson (1999-02) hold the school record with 30 career wins.
Jay Closes and Starts
Junior Tyler Jay picked up the save in his season debut on Saturday against New Mexico State (2/14) and won his first career start on Sunday against Lamar (2/15). He has seven strikeouts in six innings pitched this season. Jay is tied with Mike Munson (1985-87) for seventh in school history with 11 career saves. Jeff Richards (1987-90) holds the school record with 23 saves.
Johnson Needs Support
Last season redshirt-senior Drasen Johnson received the lowest run support on the Illini with only 2.4 runs per game. The Chillicothe, Illinois, native threw 6.2 scoreless innings in his season debut, but the offense did not score a run during his outing.
Hartleb Coaches 500th Game
University of Illinois 10th-year head coach Dan Hartleb coached his 500th game as an Illini on Sunday, Feb. 15 against Lamar. He currently ranks fourth in school history with 280 wins.
