The E-Files

BIG BASEBALL WIN!!

Posted by: Eric Loy

Friday, May 8, 2009 11:55 PM

Over five thousand were treated to an outstanding baseball game at Illinois Field Friday as the Illini came back from a 4-1 deficit to top Ohio State 5-4.

Phil Haig threw a gutty eight innings, with two mistakes, both pitches ending up as two-run homers. John Anderson came in for a key one-two-three ninth to get the win. Illinois pitchers forced EIGHTEEN groundball outs. Amazing.

Dominic Altobelli continued his hot hitting, launching a solo homerun to the opposite field that  broke up the perfect game Wimmers was throwing up til that point, and adding a single later to extend his consecutive multiple-hit streak. He added an assist on a groundball to him with runners on 2d and 3d, throwing home to cut down the runner (great block Aaron Johnson) in what proved to be a crucial moment.

Illinois added a run in the 8th inning, setting up the fireworks in the ninth. Ohio State (with their  ace closer now in the game) committed two errors, on back-to-back batters, one on a grounder to third by Big Willie Argo as the 3b-man took too much time and threw high, drawing the fielder off the bag. (Big Willie can run!) That put men on first and second.

Mike Giller then pinch-hit, grounding to second. From his knees, the 2b-man tried to throw to second, to a reluctant shortstop  (Argo was bearing down quickly), and that throw went wild, loading the bases.

Joe Bonadonna lined a hit to left field, scoring two and tying the game with one out, Giller going to third. Casey McMurray lined a base hit to right, scoring th game-winner and sending the record crowd into a frenzy for the fireworks.

It was an honor being on the air for this one, especially so that I got to be on with Coach Itch Jones as well as Dave. Can't rememeber too many games over these last 20 years as good as that one.

Two games to go at home, very important ones! Come out to the park!

 

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