ILLINOIS...is beginning its 135th year of baseball...is playing Georgia State for the first time

Transcription

1 ILLINOIS BASEBALL 2014 Baseball SID: Matt Wille // O: // C: // // facebook.com/fightingillinibaseball 2014 Schedule/Results 0-0 overall, 0-0 Big Ten // Home: 0-0; Away: 0-0; Neutral: 0-0 DAY DATE OPPONENT TIME/SCORE TV/STREAK Fri Feb. Georgia State 3 PM Sat Feb. Georgia State 1 PM Sun Feb. Georgia State 12 PM Caravelle Resort s Baseball at the Beach Tournament Fri. Feb. 21 vs. George Mason 11 AM Sat. Feb. Coastal Carolina 12:30 PM Sun Feb. 23 vs. Wichita State 8:30 AM Fri Feb. 28 vs. Florida Gulf Coast 12 PM Fri Feb. Florida 6 PM Sat March 1 vs. Florida Gulf Coast 12 PM Sun March Florida 12 PM Fri March Western Kentucky 3 PM Sat March Western Kentucky 2 PM Sun March Western Kentucky 1 PM Fri March Southern Illinois 3 PM Sat March Southern Illinois 2 PM Sun March Southern Illinois 1 PM Tue March 18 INDIANA STATE 3 PM Fri. March 21 EASTERN ILLINOIS 4 PM Sat. March 22 XAVIER 3 PM Sun March 23 XAVIER 11 AM SUN MARCH 23 EASTERN ILLINOIS 2 PM Tue March Illinois State 6 PM FRI MARCH 28 PURDUE 4 PM SAT MARCH 29 PURDUE 3 PM SUN MARCH 30 PURDUE 1 PM Fri April Northwestern 3 PM Sat April Northwestern 1 PM Sun April Northwestern 1 PM Tue April 8 vs. Eastern Illinois# 6:05 PM FRI APRIL 11 MICHIGAN 6 PM SAT APRIL 12 MICHIGAN 3 PM SUN APRIL 13 MICHIGAN 1 PM TUE APRIL 15 ILLINOIS STATE 6 PM Fri April Penn State 5:30 PM Sat April Penn State 1 PM Sun April Penn State 11 AM TUE APRIL 22 EASTERN ILLINOIS 6 PM FRI APRIL 25 INDIANA 6 PM SAT APRIL 26 INDIANA 3 PM SUN APRIL 27 INDIANA 1 PM TUE APRIL 29 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 6 PM FRI MAY 2 MICHIGAN STATE 6 PM SAT MAY 3 MICHIGAN STATE 1 PM SUN MAY 4 MICHIGAN STATE 1 PM Wed May 6 vs. Missouri& 6:30 PM Fri May Iowa 6 PM Sat May Iowa 2 PM Sun May Iowa 1 PM Fri May Nebraska 6:35 PM Sat May Nebraska 6:35 PM Sun May Nebraska 1:05 PM Wed-Sun May Big Ten Tournament TBA BTN Fri-Sun May 30 NCAA Regional TBA All times central and subject to change & GCS Ballpark, Sauget, Ill. # Peterson Park, Mattoon, Ill. * Big Ten Conference game BTN Big Ten Network BTDN Big Ten Digital Network (BTN.com) ILLINOIS......is beginning its 135th year of baseball...is playing Georgia State for the first time Illinois at Georgia State GSU Baseball Complex // Atlanta, Ga. Feb. 14 // 3 pm Feb. 15 // 1 pm Feb. 16 // 12 pm RETURNING POSITION STARTERS Pos. Name Yr. B/T G-GS Avg. HR RBI R 2B SLG. OBP SB-SBA C Jason Goldstein So. R/R B David Kerian Jr. S/R B Reid Roper r-jr. L/R TOP RETURNING PITCHERS Pos. Name Yr. ERA W-L IP K BB SV B/Avg. LHP Kevin Duchene So RHP John Kravetz Jr RHP Drasen Johnson r-jr LHP Tyler Jay So RHP Reid Roper r-jr RHP Ronnie Muck Sr had the same number of wins as GSU in 2013 (35)...returns 81.2 percent of innings pitched (399 of 491), 77.8 percent of strikeouts (246 of 316) and 74.2 percent of wins (26 of 35) from 2013 pitching staff...returns 44 percent of hits (251 of 571), 43.2 percent of runs (145 of 336), 40.7 percent of total bases (320 of 787) and 15.6 percent of home runs (5 of 32) from has made an NCAA Regional two of the last three years...was picked to finish T-5th in the Big Ten...does not have a Parr on roster for first time since 2008 LEADING OFF v SEASON OPENER: The Illinois baseball team will open the 2014 season with a three-game series in Atlanta, Ga., against Georgia State, marking its first-ever meeting with GSU. The Illini are scheduled to take on the Panthers at the GSU Baseball Complex in the season opener on Friday, Feb. 14 at CT. Game two of the series is on Saturday (Feb. 15) at CT followed by the series finale on Sunday (Feb. 16) at noon CT. v PITCHING MATCH-UPS: Illinois will feature the same top two pitchers from its NCAA Regional run last season, while reliever Drasen Johnson will transition to the starting rotation during his redshirt-junior season. Sophomore Kevin Duchene, a Freshman All- American and Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2013, will continue his role from late last season as the No. 1 starter on staff. The lefty Duchene will toe the rubber against GSU s righty Nathan Bates in Friday s opener. Saturday s showdown will pit junior RHP John Kravetz against senior LHP Andrew Fessler. Two righties will square off on Sunday in Johnson vs. GSU s Matt Rose. SERIES INSIDER ILLINOIS at Georgia State (0-0) (0-0) GAME 1 STARTERS ILL Probable:...Kevin Duchene (LHP, So., 9-1, 2.79 ERA)* GSU Probable:.. Nathan Bates (RHP, So., 2-1, 2.98 ERA)* GAME 2 STARTERS ILL Probable:.....John Kravetz (RHP, Jr., 5-3, 4.27 ERA)* GSU Probable:..Andrew Fessler (LHP, Sr., 6-2, 3.04 ERA)* GAME 3 STARTERS ILL Probable:. Drasen Johnson (RHP, r-jr., 3-1, 3.07 ERA)* GSU Probable:..... Matt Rose (RHP, So., 3-2, 2.55 ERA)* Live Stats: Gametracker on FightingIllini.com Series: First meeting *records and ERA from 2013 season KNOW YOUR OPPONENT v LOOKING AT GSU: Georgia State joined the Sun Belt Conference in 2014 after spending the previous eight years in the Colonial Athletic Conference (CAA). GSU will return the majority of the lineup that ranked in the top five nationally in batting average (.321) and runs per game (7.9) during its 35-win season in The Panthers return 19 letterwinners, including three players who earned All-America recognition last spring, and have added 11 newcomers. Head coach Greg Frady is in his eighth year at the helm. v TOP PANTHERS BACK: Headlining the returning offensive cast are two honorable-mention All-Americans in shortstop Chad Prain and outfielder-designated hitter Chase Raffield, as well as freshman All-American Matt Rose, a standout on the infield and the mound. Top returnees on the pitching staff include senior southpaws Andrew Fessler (6-2, 3.04 ERA) and Ben Burns (6-3, 2 saves), junior righty Jerry Stuckey (3-2, 3 saves) and the sophomore right-hander Rose (3-2, 5 saves, 2.55). 1 //

2 2014 NUMERICAL ROSTER No. Name B/T Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos. Hometown/High School/Last School 2 Zack Kolakowski R/R Fr.* IF Inverness, Ill./Fremd 3 Casey Fletcher L/R Jr OF/2B/RHP Oakwood, Ill./Oakwood/Kankakee Community College 4 Kelly Norris-Jones R/R Jr.* C Victoria, British Columbia/Lambrick Park Secondary 6 Adam Walton R/R So IF Buffalo Grove, Ill./Stevenson 7 Reid Roper L/R Jr.* IF/RHP Harrisburg, Ill./Harrisburg 8 Chase Hainline L/R Jr OF Stanford, Ill./Olympia 9 Ryan Nagle L/R So OF/IF Streator, Ill./Streator 10 Michael Hurwitz S/R Jr IF Springfield, Ill./Sacred Heart-Griffin 11 Tyler Jay L/L So LHP Lemont, Ill./Lemont 12 David Kerian S/R Jr IF/OF Dakota Dunes, S.D./Bishop Heelan Catholic 15 Ryne Roper R/R Fr SS/RHP Harrisburg, Ill./Harrisburg 16 Rob McDonnell L/L Jr.* LHP Barrington, Ill./Barrington 17 Matthew James L/R Fr IF/OF/RHP Normal, Ill./Normal West 18 Anthony Drago L/R Fr B/OF/C Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zurich 19 Dan Rowbottom L/R Fr OF Broadview Heights, Ohio/St. Ignatius 20 Ryan Castellanos R/R So RHP Davie, Fla./Archbishop McCarthy 21 Kevin Duchene L/L So LHP Joliet, Ill./Joliet Catholic Academy 22 Nick Blackburn R/R So RHP Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley 23 John Kravetz L/R Jr RHP Lansing, Ill./Mount Carmel 26 Grey Schultz R/R Fr C Champaign, Ill./Centennial 27 Pat McInerney R/R Fr OF/1B Glen Ellyn, Ill./Benet Academy 28 Charlie Naso R/R So.* RHP Orland Park, Ill./St. Laurence 29 Cody Sedlock R/R Fr RHP Sherrard, Ill./Alleman 30 Luke Joyce L/L Sr LHP Glenview, Ill./Loyola Academy 31 Anthony Milazzo L/L Jr LHP Addison, Ill./Addison Trail 32 Josh Ferry S/R Jr RHP Lemont, lll./lemont 33 Richie Gorski R/R Fr.* IF Streamwood, Ill./Streamwood 34 Jason Goldstein R/R So C Highland Park, Ill./Highland Park 35 Drasen Johnson R/R Jr.* RHP Chillicothe, Ill./Illinois Valley Central 38 J.D. Nielsen L/L So LHP Winterset, Iowa/Martensdale-St. Marys 39 Andrew Mamlic R/R So.* RHP Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North 40 Will Krug R/R Jr OF Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South 42 Ike Greenspon R/R So.* RHP Long Grove, Ill./Stevenson/Stetson 43 Trevor Murphy L/R So.* C/OF Lemont, Ill./Lemont 45 Ronnie Muck R/R Sr RHP Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South * indicates redshirt year used Head Coach: #24 Dan Hartleb (Southern Illinois 89) Associate Head Coach: #25 Eric Snider (Northern Iowa 87) Assistant Coach: #14 Drew Dickinson (Illinois 09) Volunteer Assistant Coach: #13 Luke Stewart (UAB 13) PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Dan Hartleb HEART-lub Ryan Castellanos CAST-uh-lahn-ohs Anthony Drago DRAY-go Kevin Duchene DUE-shane Jason Goldstein gold-steen Richie Gorski GORE-skee Chase Hainline HANE-line Michael Hurwitz HER-wits Drasen Johnson DRAY-sen David Kerian KEER-ee-un 2 // Zack Kolakowski COAL-uh-cow-skee John Kravetz KRAV-its Will Krug KROOG Andrew Mamlic MAM-lick Pat McInerney MAC-in-earn-ee Anthony Milazzo muh-LAHZ-oh Ryan Nagle NAY-gull Charlie Naso NAY-so J.D. Nielsen KNEEL-sen

3 #24 DAN HARTLEB Ninth Season Southern Illinois, (.551) Dan Hartleb enters his ninth season as head coach at Illinois and 24th season on the Illini coaching staff in Hartleb has already joined the ranks of the winningest coaches in school history, as he is currently ranked fifth in school history with 244 victories. He won his 100th Big Ten game in 2013 against Nebraska and has a conference record of During the 2013 season, Illinois advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years and finished 35-20, marking the most wins under Hartleb and most wins since 2000 by an Illini squad. The Illini earned an at-large bid into the Nashville Regional, where they won their opening game before falling in their final two contests. Hartleb coached a pair of players to top national and conference honors, as Justin Parr was named an All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year and Kevin Duchene was picked as a Freshman All-American and Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Hartleb has led the Illini to the Big Ten Tournament in six of his eight seasons at the helm, giving the Orange and Blue seven postseason appearances in the last nine seasons and 13 in the last 18 years. After spending the first 10 years of his tenure at Illinois as the pitching coach, Hartleb earned the additional title of associate head coach in 2001, coordinating many administrative duties associated with the Illini baseball program. Following the 2005 Big Ten Championship season, ABCA Hall of Famer Richard Itch Jones retired and Hartleb was hired as the 10th coach in 130 years of Illinois Baseball. Hartleb coached under Jones for 17 years, two at Southern Illinois and 15 at Illinois. During his time with the Illini, Hartleb has been instrumental in recruiting and developing 56 players who have signed minor league contracts, including, three in 2013, two in 2012, four in 2011, three in 2009, two in 2008, four in 2007 and seven in Ten former Illini have reached the major leagues, with Tanner Roark (Washington Nationals) and Chris Robinson (San Diego Padres) adding their names to that list in In addition, 26 former players have earned All-America honors on 49 different teams and nine Illini freshmen have been named to Freshmen All-America teams. Three of Hartleb s pitchers have been named Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and Illinois has produced five Big Ten Players of the Year, along with 32 first-team All-Big Ten selections. A 1989 graduate of SIU with a B.S. in advertising, Hartleb received his M.S. in higher educational administration from SIU in May He and his wife, Gina, were married in December 1993 and reside in Champaign with their children, Zakary David and Haley Noel. 3 // ILLINI PICKED T-5TH IN B1G POLL Illinois was picked to finish tied for fifth in the Big Ten in the preseason poll voted on by the conference coaches. The Illini received the same number of votes as Michigan, while Indiana was the unanimous choice as the preseason favorite to claim the Big Ten Championship followed by Nebraska (2nd), Ohio State (3rd) and Michigan State (4th). Starting pitcher Kevin Duchene, first baseman David Kerian and closer Ronnie Muck were named Players to Watch from Illinois. WHO S BACK? WHO S NOT? Following its second NCAA Regional appearance in the last three years, Illinois will feature a new look in 2014 with only two seniors on the roster compared to its veteran squad a year ago. The Illini lost their entire outfield and left side of the infield from last year s postseason lineup, but will return the full pitching rotation from their Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Regional appearances. Ninth-year head coach Dan Hartleb will be without many familiar faces from recent years at Illinois Field. Three position players were drafted in center fielder Justin Parr, left fielder Jordan Parr and shortstop Thomas Lindauer, while right fielder Davis Hendrickson and four-year starting third baseman Brandon Hohl both graduated. On the other hand, UI s pitching staff, which posted its lowest ERA (3.76) in 37 years, is back in full force with its weekend rotation returning sophomore Kevin Duchene, junior John Kravetz and sophomore Ryan Castellanos. Only a pair of pitchers were lost to graduation in four-year starter Kevin Johnson, who was sidelined at the end of 2013 due to an arm injury, and closer Bryan Roberts, who wrapped up his career tied for the third-most saves in school history. By the numbers, here is a breakdown of what Illinois will return in The Illini return 81.2 percent of their innings pitched (399 of 491), 77.8 percent of their strikeouts (246 of 316) and 74.2 percent of their wins (26 of 35). While the majority of the pitching production is back, less than half of the Big Ten s second-ranked offense will take the field in Illinois will bring back 44 percent of its hits (251 of 571), 43.2 percent of its runs (145 of 336), 40.7 percent of its total bases (320 of 787) and 15.6 percent of its home runs (5 of 32). CLOSER LOOK AT THE STARTING STAFF v LOWEST ERA IN 37 YEARS: Last season, pitching coach Drew Dickinson s young staff which featured two freshmen and a sophomore in the postseason rotation lowered its ERA by more than a run from 2012 from 4.77 ERA to 3.76 ERA, which ranks as the lowest mark since 1976 (3.43 ERA). His staff nearly boasted a 2:1 strikeoutto-walk ratio (316 K to 162 BB) and held opponents to a.267 average. In 2014, all but two pitchers (Johnson and Roberts) will toe the rubber again for the Illini. v DUCHENE CONTINUES HIS FRIDAY NIGHT ROLE: Sophomore Kevin Duchene, who broke the school record for wins by a freshman with nine last season, will lead the staff heading into The Joliet, Ill., native assumed the Friday night role for the final month of 2013 when Kevin Johnson went out with an arm injury. His final six starts were as the No. 1 starter and featured a career-best 11-strikeout, two-hit shutout against Penn State that propelled him to Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. After becoming just the second ever Illini to win the award and being named second-team All-Big Ten, the southpaw capped his stellar rookie season with a quality start in UI s victory over Georgia Tech in the NCAA Nashville Regional. Duchene, who was named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA, Baseball America and Perfect Game, finished 9-1 with a team-best 2.79 ERA in BIG TEN PRESEASON POLL 1. Indiana 2. Nebraska 3. Ohio State 4. Michigan State T-5. Illinois T-5. Michigan BIG TEN STANDINGS Big Ten Overall W-L Pct. W-L Pct. 1. ILLINOIS Indiana Iowa Michigan Michigan State Minnesota Nebraska Northwestern Ohio State Penn State Purdue SCHEDULE FRIDAY, FEB. 14 ILLINOIS at Georgia State INDIANA at Texas Tech IOWA at Austin Peay MICHIGAN at Texas State [1] MICHIGAN vs. Washington [1] MICHIGAN STATE vs. Monmouth N.J. [2] MINNESOTA vs. Northern Illinois [3] NEBRASKA vs. Pacific [4] NORTHWESTERN at USC OHIO STATE vs. Connecticut [5] PENN STATE at Gardner-Webb PURDUE vs. Nebraska-Omaha [6] 11 SATURDAY, FEB. 15 ILLINOIS at Georgia State INDIANA at Texas Tech INDIANA at Texas Tech IOWA at Austin Peay MICHIGAN vs. Air Force [1] MICHIGAN STATE vs. UMass-Lowell [2] MICHIGAN STATE vs. Wright State [2] MINNESOTA vs. Northern Illinois [3] NEBRASKA vs. Oregon State [4] NEBRASKA vs. Gonzaga NORTHWESTERN at USC OHIO STATE vs. Auburn [5] OHIO STATE vs. Indiana State [5] PENN STATE at Gardner-Webb PENN STATE at Gardner-Webb PURDUE vs. Nebraska-Omaha [6] PURDUE at Tennessee [6] SUNDAY, FEB. 16 ILLINOIS at Georgia State INDIANA at Texas Tech IOWA at Austin Peay MICHIGAN vs. Washington [1] MICHIGAN STATE vs. Canisius [2] MINNESOTA vs. Northern Illinois [3] NEBRASKA vs. Gonzaga NORTHWESTERN at USC OHIO STATE vs. Indiana State [5] PENN STATE at Gardner-Webb PURDUE at Tennessee [6] [1] Texas State Tournament - San Marcos, Texas [2] Wright State Invitational - Cary, N.C. [3] Glendale, Ariz. [4] Husker Classic - Tempe, Ariz. [5] Snowbird Classic - Port Charlotte, Fla. [6] Tennessee 3-Team Tournament - Knoxville, Tenn. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 11:30 a.m. 2 p.m. 8 p.m. TBA a.m. 11 a.m. 2 p.m. 6 p.m. 11:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m. TBA TBA 11 a.m. 11 a.m. 2 p.m. TBA

4 v KRAVETZ PROVIDES THE EXPERIENCE: Junior John Kravetz will be the most experienced starting pitcher in the rotation, as he enters the year back in the No. 2 spot. The Lansing, Ill., native boasts a 13-6 overall record and a team-best IP in his first two seasons. The righthander has been a workhorse for the Illini, making all 29 starts since entering the rotation. During his sophomore season in 2013, he lowered his ERA (4.72 to 4.27) and increased his strikeouts (45 to 52) while finishing with a 5-3 record. He broke the school record for most wins by a freshman with eight in 2012 before Duchene surpassed the mark last year. v RELIEVER DRASEN JOHNSON MOVES INTO ROTATION: Redshirt-junior Drasen Johnson will transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation in The Chillicothe, Ill., native has made five starts in his career, while the majority of his work has come out of the bullpen with 31 appearances. Last season, he finished 3-1 with a 3.07 ERA in 20 appearances (one start) and totaled 12 strikeouts. In his final 12 appearances, he only allowed one run and 11 hits over 17.2 IP (0.51 ERA) while picking up three wins. BULLPEN BREAKDOWN v OPTIONS AT CLOSER: With the graduation of Bryan Roberts, the Illini will have a new reliever split time in the closer role with Reid Roper. Senior Ronnie Muck will move from the set-up role to the back of the bullpen. Muck has six career saves and converted both of his save chances a year ago. The Park Ridge, Ill., native went 3-1 and notched the second-best ERA in the bullpen with a 2.70 mark in 19 appearances in Roper, who has started at second base along with closing games the past two years, will again be an option at closer. He turned in the bullpen s best ERA at 2.53 and converted all five of his save chances in 2013, giving the redshirt-junior eight career saves. v PLAYING THE MATCH-UPS IN RELIEF: Outside of Illinois starters and closer, UI boasts eight right-handed pitchers and five left-handed pitchers, which will allow for situational match-ups throughout the year. Sophomore southpaw Tyler Jay will be an option in the set-up role after posting a 3.10 ERA in 18 games as a freshman. Fellow veteran left-handers Luke Joyce and Rob McDonnell battled arm injuries last season but both will be back in 2014 and expected to contribute along with the other two lefties: junior Anthony Milazzo and sophomore J.D. Nielsen. Among the right-handers, sophomore Nick Blackburn, who went 2-1 in 10 games last year, and redshirt-sophomore Andrew Mamlic, who allowed one run in 10 innings last season, will be options in relief along with newcomers Matthew James and Ike Greenspon. THREE POSITION PLAYERS BACK v ALL-BIG TEN FIRST BASEMAN: Illinois top returning hitter is junior first baseman David Kerian, who was a first-team All-Big Ten selection after hitting.313 with a home run, 39 RBI, 23 stolen bases and a.390 on-base percentage in The Dakota Dunes, S.D., native tied the Big Ten lead with 23 steals and had the fewest errors among Big Ten first baseman with five for a.990 fielding percentage during his breakout sophomore season. v ROPER STILL AT SECOND: Redshirt-junior second baseman Reid Roper is back for his third year at the position. The Harrisburg, Ill., native played in 49 games and hit.266 with three home runs, 21 runs and 22 RBI in The utility player, who was a Freshman All-American in 2012, also is an option at third base, which would open 4 // the door for junior Michael Hurwitz or sophomore Adam Walton at second base. v BEHIND THE DISH: Sophomore Jason Goldstein is back at catcher after being named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team in The Highland Park, Ill., native was the first true-freshman to start at Illinois since He started 42 games in his debut season and led the Big Ten in caught stealing in conference games with 11. He hit.231 with 18 runs and 11 RBI. Redshirt-junior Kelly Norris- Jones is also in the mix at the position after making 13 starts and playing in 23 games in FILLING IN THE HOLES v KRUG TAKES OVER IN CENTER: Junior Will Krug has recovered from the broken arm that sidelined him for the second half of the 2013 season. Krug hit.305 and scored 25 runs in 25 games before suffering the injury on a hit by pitch at Indiana. He started 22 straight games from Feb. 22-April 5 as the Illini leadoff hitter, helping the team to a 17-5 record during that time. The Park Ridge, Ill., native is expected to start in center field, filling the position left by Big Ten Player of the Year Justin Parr. v CORNER OUTFIELD OPTIONS: Both corner outfield options will be filled by new faces. Freshman Pat McInerney and sophomore Ryan Nagle are expected to compete for the job in left field, while juniors Chase Hainline and Casey Fletcher will vie for the starting job in right field. McInerney earned IHSA Class 3A all-state honors at Benet Academy after hitting.381 with eight home runs and 38 RBI as a senior. Nagle made six starts at first base in 2013, but was primarily used as a pinch-hitter, collecting six hits and five RBI in 22 games. Hainline has come off the bench during his first two seasons, going 5-for-9 in 10 career games as a pinch-hitter. Fletcher was a twotime NJCAA All-American at Kankakee Community College and transferred to Illinois with two seasons of eligibility remaining. He played multiple positions at KCC as an outfielder, second baseman and pitcher. v LEFT SIDE OF THE INFIELD: Illinois will have to replace first-team All-Big Ten shortstop Thomas Lindauer and four-year starter at third base Brandon Hohl. A pair of redshirt-freshmen could patrol the left side of the infield in shortstop Zack Kolakowski and third baseman Richie Gorski. Freshman Ryne Roper, the 2013 Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year, also will compete for the spot at shortstop, meaning brothers Reid and Ryne could play up the middle for the Illini. NO MORE PARRS, BUT TWO ROPERS For the first time in five seasons, Illinois will not have a Parr brother (Josh, Justin or Jordan) on the roster. Instead, UI will have a new set of brothers in Reid and Ryne Roper. Older brother Reid is a redshirt-junior and has started the last two seasons at second base along with serving as closer. Younger brother Ryne is a freshman who was selected as the Illinois High School Gatorade Player of the Year in 2013 and is also an infielder and pitcher. Beginning with Josh in 2009, the Illini had a Parr on the lineup card for 270 of a possible 271 games over the past five years. The only time a Parr did not play in a game for the Illini was when Josh missed the second game of a doubleheader on April 4, All three brothers had standout careers at Illinois and were taken in the MLB Draft. Josh, the oldest brother and a two-time All-Big Ten selection at shortstop, lettered from before being drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 12th round following his junior year. Justin lettered from , playing one season (2011) with Josh and two 2014 HONORS Kevin Duchene Big Ten Preseason Player to Watch College Sports Madness Preseason All-Big Ten David Kerian Big Ten Preseason Player to Watch College Sports Madness Preseason All-Big Ten Ronnie Muck Big Ten Preseason Player to Watch seasons ( ) with his twin brother, Jordan. Justin was a first-team All-American and the Big Ten Player of the Year as the UI center fielder during his senior season in 2013 before being drafted in the eighth round by the Philadelphia Phillies. Jordan lettered from and was a secondteam All-Big Ten selection before being drafted in the 15th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks following his redshirtjunior season in Despite not playing with each other at Illinois, Josh and Jordan were reunited when they both played for the Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks Short-Season A affiliate) in the summer of FLETCHER FAMILY TRADITION The third generation in the Fletcher family will don the Illinois baseball uniform when junior transfer Casey Fletcher takes the field in Casey is the son and grandson of former Illini and MLB players Darrin Fletcher and Tom Fletcher, respectively. Fletcher, who was a two-time NJCAA All- American, is from Oakwood, Ill., and transferred to Illinois after spending two seasons at Kankakee Community College (KCC). He played multiple positions at KCC as an outfielder, second baseman and pitcher. He drove in 69 RBI in 2013, ranking as the second-highest total in NJCAA Division II baseball. UNIFORM NUMBER CHANGES IN 2014 Five players and pitching coach Drew Dickinson will be wearing new numbers on their jerseys in The full list of changes is below: Nick Blackburn = No. 22 (wore No. 13 in 2013) Drew Dickinson = No. 14 (wore No. 41 from ) Jason Goldstein = No. 34 (wore No. 36 in 2013) Zack Kolakowski = No. 2 (wore No. 37 in 2013) Rob McDonnell = No. 16 (wore No. 14 from ) Ryan Nagle = No. 9 (wore No. 44 in 2013) HOMEGROWN TALENT ABOUNDS The Illinois roster is made up of 35 players, 30 of whom are from the state of Illinois. The five players who don t hail from the Land of Lincoln include junior infielder David Kerian (South Dakota), redshirt-junior catcher Kelly Norris-Jones (British Columbia, Canada), sophomore Ryan Castellanos (Florida), sophomore J.D. Nielsen (Iowa) and freshman Dan Rowbottom (Ohio). THIS IS ILLINOIS BASEBALL Illinois has had players named to 36 All-American teams in the last 15 years Illinois is (.634) all-time at Illinois Field Illinois 2,406 all-time wins were ranked 19th in NCAA Division I Baseball history at the beginning of 2013 Illinois has hit over.300 as a team in 10 of the past 16 years and over.310 in five of the last nine seasons Illinois has posted a fielding percentage of.960 or better in 14 of the last 15 years, including a school-record.973 mark in 2011 Illinois has had four Big Ten Players of the Year and three Big Ten Pitchers of the Year in the last decade Illinois has 126 Academic All-Big Ten selections over the last 14 years Illinois has 29 Big Ten Championships in the program s history.

5 THE LAST TIME AN ILLINOIS TEAM... Scored 30 or more runs in a game May 8, 2000 vs. Saint Joseph s (32) Scored 20 or more runs in a game March 30, 2013 vs. Oakland, G1 (21) Had 30 or more hits in a game May 8, 2000 vs. Saint Joseph s (39) Had 20 or more hits in a game April 14, 2013 vs. Purdue (20) Hit two consecutive home runs april 23, 2011 vs. Michigan State (Willie Argo and Davis Hendrickson, 4th inning) Hit three consecutive home runs April 24, 1998 vs. Iowa (Craig Marquie, Kevin Rudden, D.J. Svihlik) Hit five triples in a game March 30, 2012 vs. Mississippi Valley State (5) Shut out an opponent may 10, 2013 (vs. Penn State, 9-0) Shut out a Big Ten opponent may 10, 2013 (vs. Penn State, 9-0) Shut out a Big Ten team in consecutive games April 4, 1998 vs. Northwestern (8-0; 8-0) Won a game in its final at bat may 12, 2013 (vs. Penn State, 5-4) Was shut out by a Big Ten team May 18, 2013 at Minnesota (0-2) Swept a Big Ten series at home May 10-12, 2013 (Penn State) Swept a Big Ten series on the road April 27-29, 2012 (Northwestern) Swept a non-conference series on the road..... March 15-18, 2013 (Southern Illinois) Was swept in a Big Ten series at home April 11-13, 2008 (Michigan) Was swept in a Big Ten series on the road May 11-13, 2012 (at Penn State) Won a series against a No. 1 team March 6-8, 2009 (at No. 1 LSU) Won a series against a ranked team April 17-19, 2009 (vs. No. 23 Minnesota) Won 10 straight games February 24-March 30, 2002 (10 games) Won 10 straight Big Ten games may 10, 1989-April 8, 1990 Won 10 straight games at home April 14, 1996-March 22, 1997 (11 games) Won 40 games in a season (41-23) Won the regular season Big Ten title (15-9,.625) Won the Big Ten Tournament (at Huntington Park, Columbus, Ohio) Competed in the NCAA Regionals (at Nashville Regional) Played at a Major League stadium May 24, 2013 (vs. Minnesota at Target Field) Beat a ranked opponent April 7, 2013; 3-2 at #16 Indiana (BA) Ended a game in a tie March 6, 2005 (1-1 vs. Sam Houston State 14 innings) Turned a triple play March 6, 2005, (vs. Sam Houston State) AN ILLINOIS PLAYER... Hit for the cycle April 14, 2013 (Justin Parr vs. Purdue; 4-for-5 with a double, home run, single and triple) Hit three doubles in one game May 21, 2010 (Casey McMurray at Indiana) Hit two triples in one game March 30, 2012 (Argo & Lindauer vs. Miss. Valley St.) Hit three triples in one game April 25, 2008 (John Schlichter vs. Penn State) Hit two HRs in one game April 30, 2013 (Jordan Parr vs. Southern Illinois) Hit three HRs in one game March 7, 2009 (Willie Argo at No. 1 LSU) Hit a grand slam march 30, 2013 (Brandon Hohl vs. Oakland G1, 3rd inning) Hit two grand slams in one game May 4, 2004 (Chris Robinson vs. MacMurray) Had 8 or more RBI in one game May 4, 2004 (Chris Robinson, 8 vs. MacMurray) Had 7 or more RBI in one game.... April 30, 2013 (Jordan Parr, 7 vs. Southern Illinois) Hit two or more home runs in one inning April 6, (Dusty Bensko, 1st inning vs. Western Michigan) Hit an inside-the-park home run June 2, 2013 (Jordan Parr vs. Georgia Tech) Hit the Illinois Field scoreboard with a HR...March 30, 2013 (Lindauer vs. Oakland G1) Hit a walk-off home run May 21, 2011 (Matt Dittman vs. Indiana) Stole home Feb. 22, 2013 (Jordan Parr vs. Ohio) Hit safely in 30-straight games March 9-May 11, 2013 (Justin Parr, 33 games) Hit safely in 15-straight games... April 30-June 2, 2013 (Thomas Lindauer, 18 games) Hit 20 home runs in one season (Josh Klimek, 26) Hit.400 for the season (Lars Davis,.400) Was named Big Ten Player of the Week as a freshman..... April 27, 2009 (Willie Argo) Was the Big Ten Batting Champion (Justin Parr,.411) Was the Big Ten RBI Champion (Dusty Bensko, 40) Was the Big Ten Home Run Champion (Dusty Bensko, 9) Was the Big Ten Player of the Year (Justin Parr) AN ILLINOIS PITCHER... Finished the season undefeated (Tanner Roark, 4-0) Finished the Big Ten season undefeated (Kevin Duchene, 3-0) Won 10 games (Brian Blomquist, 10-3) Defeated a No. 1 ranked team.... March 8, 2009 (Ben Reeser defeated No. 1 LSU, 6-2) Defeated a top-5 ranked team.... March 8, 2009 (Ben Reeser defeated No. 1 LSU, 6-2) Defeated a ranked team... April 7, 2013 (Ryan Castellanos defeated #16 Indiana, 3-2) Threw a no-hitter April 24, 1985 ( Boo Champagne vs. Bradley) Threw a one-hitter april 14, 2007 (Mike Stankiewicz at Northwestern) Threw a two-hitter May 10, 2013 (Kevin Duchene vs. Penn State) Struck out 10 or more May 10, 2013 (Kevin Duchene vs. Penn State, 11) Shut out a Big Ten team May 10, 2013 (Kevin Duchene vs. Penn State) Started a game as a true freshman.. June 2, 2013 (Ryan Castellanos vs. Georgia Tech) Started a Big Ten game as a true freshman..may 24, 2013 (Ryan Castellanos vs. MINN) Was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week as a freshman.. May 13, 2013 (Kevin Duchene) Was the Big Ten Pitching Champion (Brett Weber, 1.57 ERA) Was the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year (Andy Dickinson) Was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year (Kevin Duchene) ILLINI RECORD WATCH Saves Career 1. Jeff Richards ( ) Jeff Innis ( ) Bryan Roberts ( ) Jake Toohey ( ) Dave Mazurek ( ) Jimmy Journell ( ) Mike Munson ( ) Matt Vorwald ( ) Donnie Payne ( ) Matt Sander ( ) Reid Roper (2011-) 8 5 //

6 CAREER PITCHING LINES #13 NICK BLACKBURN Tennessee Tech * / /24 vs. Boston College * /0 1 5 W - 3/2 vs. Houston Baptist * /2 1 2 W - Baylor-1 * / Southern Illinois * / /31 Oakland * /3 0 0 L - 4/12 Purdue / Ohio State / /30 Southern Illinois / /11 Penn State / SEASON 5.17 ERA / #20 RYAN CASTELLANOS Tennessee Tech / /24 vs. Boston College / UT-Arlington / Southern Illinois / /31 Oakland / /2 vs. Missouri / Indiana * /2 0 2 W - 4/14 Purdue * /4 1 1 W - Ohio State * /7 0 3 L - 4/28 Northwestern / Michigan State / /11 Penn State * /4 1 3 W - Minnesota * / /24 vs. Minnesota * /3 0 3 L - 6/2 vs. Georgia Tech * / SEASON 5.04 ERA / #21 KEVIN DUCHENE Tennessee Tech * / /22 vs. Ohio * /4 1 2 W - 3/1 vs. Houston Baptist * /0 5 3 W - Baylor / Southern Illinois / /30 vs. Oakland-1 * /2 2 4 W - 4/2 vs. Missouri /0 1 1 W - Indiana / /9 Eastern Illinois * /2 0 5 L - 4/13 Purdue /0 1 2 W - Illinois State * /1 4 7 W - Ohio State / /26 Northwestern * / Michigan State * / /10 Penn State * / W - Minnesota * /2 2 3 W - 5/22 vs. Minnesota * / /31 vs. Georgia Tech * /3 2 5 W - SEASON 2.79 ERA / #32 JOSH FERRY Tennessee Tech / /22 vs. Ohio / /2 vs. Houston Baptist / SEASON 3.86 ERA / /17 vs. Notre Dame / Oregon State / /18 vs. Southern Illinois * /3 4 5 W - Nebraska * /7 4 0 L - 3/31 MVSU * /3 1 5 W - 4/8 Indiana * / Eastern Illinois * /0 0 6 W - 4/22 Ohio State / Indiana State * / /1 Southern Illinois / /4 Michigan State / SEASON 7.09 ERA / CAREER 6.91 ERA / #11 TYLER JAY Tennessee Tech /2 1 3 L - 2/23 vs. New Mexico St / /24 vs. Boston College / UT-Arlington / UT-Arlington / Baylor /0 0 4 W - Southern Illinois / /22 Nebraska /3 1 0 L - 3/23 Nebraska /0 1 2 L - 3/31 Oakland / Indiana / /12 vs. Purdue / Illinois State / Ohio State / /26 Northwestern / Michigan State / /24 vs. Minnesota / /1 at Vanderbilt / SEASON 3.10 ERA / #35 DRASEN JOHNSON Tennessee Tech /1 0 0 L - 2/22 vs. Ohio / Baylor / Southern Illinois / /23 Nebraska-2 * / /2 vs. Missouri / Indiana / /9 Eastern Illinois / Illinois State / Ohio State / Ohio State / /26 Northwestern / /30 vs. Southern Illinois /1 1 1 W - 5/12 Penn State /0 0 1 W - Minnesota /0 0 0 W - Minnesota / /23 vs. Michigan / /24 vs. Minnesota / /1 at Vanderbilt / /2 vs. Georgia Tech / SEASON 3.07 ERA / /17 vs. Notre Dame / /18 vs. Louisville / Lamar / /10 vs. Connecticut / /17 vs. Northern Illinois / Nebraska / Nebraska / Illinois State / /6 Indiana / /10 Eastern Illinois / /17 Illinois State /0 1 4 W - 4/22 Ohio State / Northwestern * / /6 Michigan State * / Penn State * / /19 Minnesota * /4 1 2 L - SEASON 6.00 ERA / CAREER 4.74 ERA / #30 LUKE JOYCE 3/30 Oakland / SEASON ERA / /17 vs. Notre Dame /2 2 1 L - Lamar /0 1 0 W - Lamar / /11 vs. West Virginia /0 0 3 W - 3/18 vs. Northern Illinois / Nebraska / Nebraska / Illinois State / /1 MVSU /3 Bradley / /8 Indiana / /11 vs. Missouri /2 4 0 L - Purdue / /17 Illinois State / /21 Ohio State / Indiana State /1 1 0 L - 5/1 Southern Illinois /2 0 0 L - 5/6 Michigan State / SEASON 4.68 ERA / Opponent IP H R/ER BB K W/L S 2/20 West Virginia / FGCU / /4 vs. Central Michigan / /6 vs. Columbia / Western Kentucky / /17 vs. Northern Illinois / /18 vs. Northern Illinois / Southern Illinois / Bradley /1 2 2 L - 4/13 Southern Illinois / /20 Eastern Illinois / /23 Michigan State / /24 Michigan State / Northwestern / /4 Illinois College / /19 Indiana /0 0 0 W - 5/21 Indiana / Cal State Fullerton / /5 vs. Stanford / SEASON 3.05 ERA / CAREER 4.53 ERA / #23 JOHN KRAVETZ 2/23 vs. New Mexico St. * /2 1 5 W - UT-Arlington * / Baylor-2 * /1 3 2 W - Southern Illinois * / /23 Nebraska-1 * / /30 Oakland-2 * /2 1 1 W - Indiana * /6 2 3 L - 4/13 Purdue * / Ohio State * / /27 Northwestern * /2 1 7 W - Michigan State * / /12 Penn State * / Minnesota * /2 0 2 L - 5/23 vs. Michigan * /2 0 7 W - 6/1 at Vanderbilt * /5 0 6 L - SEASON 4.27 ERA / vs. St. John s /0 1 6 W - Lamar * / Coastal Carolina * / vs. Connecticut * /1 1 6 W vs. Northern Illinois * /2 0 4 W - Nebraska * /8 0 0 L - Illinois State * /8 1 2 L MVSU * /0 0 3 W Indiana * /3 2 4 W - Purdue * /3 1 2 L Ohio State * /3 2 0 W - Northwestern * /4 1 2 W Michigan State * / Penn State * / Minnesota * /1 0 3 W - SEASON 4.72 ERA / CAREER 4.34 ERA / //

7 CAREER PITCHING LINES #40 WILL KRUG 2/24 vs. Gonzaga / SEASON 0.00 ERA / #39 ANDREW MAMLIC East Carolina / /1 vs. Houston Baptist / /22 Nebraska / Indiana / /9 Eastern Illinois / /27 Northwestern / Vanderbilt / SEASON 0.90 ERA / #14 ROB MCDONNELL Tennessee Tech / East Carolina / UT-Arlington /1 0 0 L - 3/23 Nebraska / /2 vs. Missouri * / Michigan State / SEASON 3.52 ERA / /18 vs. Lousiville * /2 2 4 L - 2/25 vs. Gonzaga * /5 2 2 L - SEASON 5.56 ERA / CAREER 4.74 ERA / #31 ANTHONY MILAZZO 2/22 vs. Ohio / /23 Nebraska / /23 Nebraska / Indiana / /9 Eastern Illinois / /12 Purdue / Michigan State / /11 Penn State / SEASON 6.75 ERA / /24 vs. Gonzaga / Oregon State / Southern Illinois / Nebraska / Nebraska / Illinois State / /30 MVSU / /6 Indiana / Purdue / /20 Ohio State / /1 Southern Illinois / /19 Minnesota / SEASON 1.38 ERA / CAREER 3.63 ERA / #45 RONNIE MUCK Tennessee Tech / Tennessee Tech / /22 vs. Ohio / /24 vs. Boston College / UT-Arlington / UT-Arlington / Baylor /0 0 0 W - Baylor / /26 Northwestern / /28 Northwestern /0 0 2 W - 4/30 Southern Illinois / Michigan State /0 0 2 W - Michigan State / /11 Penn State / Minnesota / Minnesota / /22 vs. Minnesota /1 2 1 L - 5/31 vs. Georgia Tech / Vanderbilt / SEASON 2.70 ERA / /18 vs. Louisville / /24 vs. Gonzaga / Lamar / /2 vs. St. John s / /11 vs. West Virginia / /18 vs. Northern Illinois / /18 vs. Southern Illinois / Nebraska / Bradley / /1 Mississippi Valley St / /3 Bradley / /7 Indiana / /11 vs. Missouri / Purdue / /17 Illinois State / Eastern Illinois / /22 Ohio State / Indiana State / Northwestern / /1 Southern Illinois / /6 Michigan State /1 3 1 W - Penn State /3 0 1 L - 5/17 Minnesota /0 2 3 W - SEASON 4.36 ERA / Opponent IP H R/ER BB K W/L S Western Kentucky / Western Kentucky / /18 vs. Northern Illinois / /6 Ben.-Springfield / /20 Eastern Illinois / /26 Illinois-Springfield / Northwestern / /4 Illinois College / /5 vs. Stanford / SEASON 4.50 ERA / CAREER 3.75 ERA / #28 CHARLIE NASO 2/21 at East Carolina / /2 vs. Houston Baptist / /30 Oakland / Ohio State / Michigan State / SEASON 3.86 ERA / #38 J.D. NIELSEN Tennessee Tech / /24 vs. Boston College / Baylor / /31 Oakland / /9 Eastern Illinois / Illinois State / Ohio State / /30 vs. Southern Illinois * / Minnesota / Minnesota / /23 vs. Michigan / Vanderbilt / SEASON 5.59 ERA / #7 REID ROPER 2/23 vs. New Mexico St / Baylor / Baylor / Southern Illinois / Southern Illinois / Southern Illinois / /31 Oakland / /2 vs. Missouri / /9 Eastern Illinois / /14 Purdue / Michigan State / SEASON 2.53 ERA / /19 vs. St. John s / Lamar /0 1 2 W - 3/18 vs. Southern Illinois / Bradley / /31 MVSU / /8 Indiana / /11 vs. Missouri / Purdue / /17 Illinois State * / /22 Ohio State / /6 Michigan State / /17 Minnesota / /18 Minnesota / SEASON 4.05 ERA / CAREER 3.38 ERA / //

8 TV/Radio Defense and Lineups Illinois Lineup Player Position Illini Defense SP - Georgia State Lineup Player Position Georgia State Defense SP - 8 //

9 2013 Illinois Baseball Overall Statistics for Illinois (as of Jun 02, 2013) (All games Sorted by Batting avg) Record: Home: 13-5 Away: Neutral: 9-4 Big Ten: Player avg gp-gs ab r h 2b 3b hr rbi tb slg% bb hp so gdp ob% sf sh sb-att po a e fld% 15 Parr, Justin Kerian, David Lindauer, Thomas Parr, Jordan Hurwitz, Michael Hohl, Brandon Roper, Reid Hainline, Chase Lincoln, Alex Krug, Will Hendrickson, Davis Goldstein, Jason Walton, Adam Norris-Jones, Kelly Nagle, Ryan Johnson, Kevin Totals Opponents LOB - Team (454), Opp (418). DPs turned - Team (54), Opp (35). CI - Team (2), Goldstein, J 2. IBB - Team (6), Parr, Justin 3, Kerian, D. 1, Parr, Jor. 1, Hohl, B. 1, Opp (3). Picked off - Hurwitz, M. 4, Lindauer, T. 2, Kerian, D. 2, Parr, Justin 2, Parr, Jor. 2, Nagle, R. 1, Norris-Jones 1, Hendrickson 1, Hohl, B. 1. (All games Sorted by Earned run avg) Player era w-l app gs cg sho sv ip h r er bb so 2b 3b hr b/avg wp hp bk sfa sha 21 Duchene, Kevin / Johnson, Drasen / Johnson, Kevin / Kravetz, John / Castellanos, Ryan / Blackburn, Nick / Brennan, P.J / Mamlic, Andrew / Roper, Reid / Muck, Ronnie / Roberts, Bryan / Jay, Tyler / McDonnell, Rob / Naso, Charlie / Ferry, Josh / Nielsen, J.D / Milazzo, Anthony / Joyce, Luke / Totals / Opponents / PB - Team (10), Goldstein, J 9, Lincoln, A. 1, Opp (10). Pickoffs - Team (2), Duchene, K. 1, Kravetz, J. 1, Opp (16). SBA/ATT - Goldstein, J (42-60), Kravetz, J. (16-22), Duchene, K. (11-17), Norris-Jones (11-14), Johnson, K. (7-8), Castellanos (6-8), Blackburn, N (4-4), Johnson, Dr. (1-4), Jay, T. (3-3), Muck, R. (1-2), Milazzo, A. (2-2), Nielsen, J.D (0-1), Roberts, Bry (1-1), Roper, R. (1-1), McDonnell, R (0-1). 9 //