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University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota - Illinois Big Ten Tournament Blog
5/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
#20 Minnesota takes on Illinois at the 2009 Big Ten Tournament from Huntington Park in downtown Columbus, OH at 2:55 PM. Earlier today the Gophers beat Purdue by a score of 12 - 3 to escape being sent home. The Gophers face another elimination game right now as both teams have one loss in this double elimination format.
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Here are your starting line-ups for today's game.
Illinois 1) Joe Bonadonna CF 2) Casey McMurray LF 3) Brandon Wikoff SS 4) Dominic Altobelli 3B 5) Aaron Johnson C 6) Willie Argo DH 7) Matt Dittman 1B 8) Pete Cappetta RF 9) Josh Parr 2B SP) Ben Reeser
Minnesota 1) Matt Nohelty DH 2) AJ Pettersen SS 3) Derek McCallum 2B 4) Mike Kvasnicka RF 5) Kyle Knudson C 6) Nick O'Shea 1B 7) Eric Decker CF 8) Justin Gominsky LF 9) Kyle Geason 3B SP) Seth Rosin
2:51 PM - Seth Rosin delivers the first pitch for a strike.
2:54 PM - Minnesota went 1 - 2 against Illinois during their April 17 - 18 series. During that series, Minnesota dropped the first two games but salvaged the series behind Seth Rosin. Illinois 0, Minnesota 0, Top 1.
2:57 PM - In the series against Illinois, Minnesota hit .398 as a team. They also hit eight homeruns and drove in 29 runs. Derek McCallum led the offense by going 8 - 14 (.571) and hitting three homers, driving in eight, and scored four runs. Illinois 0, Minnesota 0, Top 1.
3:05 PM - The last time Minnesota and Illinois faced each other in the Big Ten Tournament was 2007. Minnesota won by a score of 10 - 3. In fact, Minnesota has won the last four Big Ten Tournament meetings between the two clubs. Illinois last won in 1999 when the Ohio State Buckeyes hosted the tournament. Illinois 0, Minnesota 0, Bottom 1.
3:08 PM - Matt Nohelty comes around to score the first Minnesota run of this game. Minnesota is 16 - 6 when scoring in the first inning and 23 - 8 when putting up the contest's first tally. Ilinois 0, Minnesota 1, Bottom 1.
John from Milwaukee asks:
Is Minnesota considering replacing Siebert Field?
Hi, John. Yes, they are. Now that fundraising for the football field is comlete. Gopher Athletics can now concentrate on putting their efforts behind a new stadium for Gopher Baseball. If you check the 2009 media guide, you can see preliminary plans on the inside cover of the media guide. Look for the fundraising efforts to gain steam this summer.
3:13 PM - Mike Kvasnicka nails his ninth homerun of the year to right centerfield. Kvasnicka has had some impressive blasts today. Kvasnicka's longball hit a net put up between the bleachers and scoreboard. If that net wasn't there, the ball would have landed on Nationwide Boulevard. Illinois 0, Minnesota 3, Bottom 1.
Mike from St. Paul asks:
Is the Big Ten going to start rotating around to different off-campus facilities for future post-season tourneys?
Mike, this year is sort of a trial run for the Big Ten having the tournament at a neutral site. I know that attendance would be a concern if the tournament was hosted far from a Big Ten campus. I have always thought the minor league ballpark in Indianapolis would be a good sight. After this year's tourney, the coaches will get together and evaluate how this weekend went. It has not yet been set as to where next year's Big Ten tournament will be played.
3:25 PM - Seth Rosin has been very good in Big Ten play this year. He is 5 - 0 in seven starts. Rosin has pitched 35 innings and allowed 36 hits. He has also struck out 37 and walked just seven. On Monday, the big sophomore righty was named to the All-Big Ten second team. No other Big Ten team can boast of having a third starter with the numbers of Rosin. Illinois 0, Minnesota 3, Bottom 2.
Steve from Minneapolis asks:
Are Target Field or the Metrodome possibilities for future Big Ten tournaments?
I haven't heard anything about either site being mentioned as a possible Big Ten tourney site. I'm sure Target Field would be the first choice but, obviously, the Twins would have to give the okay. I'm not sure the Big Ten would be very excited about hosting the tourney in the Metrodome. Also, it is also hard for a lot of the Big Ten teams to travel all the way to Minneapolis on short notice. For example, we are the only team that flew to Columbus. Every other team was able to bus.
3:37 PM - Illinois needs to win this game and at least another one to give them a decent shot at making an NCAA regional. Illinois has a quality series victory as they beat #1 LSU twice in Baton Rouge in March. However, they are currently a bubble team. Of course, if they win the tourney, they will get the Big Ten's automatic bid. Illinois 0, Minnesota 3, Top 3.
3:40 PM - One of the negatives of being at a neutral site is that we don't get to hear Joe Bonadonna's walk-up song. While we were at Illinois earlier this season, I was able to enjoy "Green Light" by R & B sensation John Legend every time Bonadonna hit. Of course, the best walk-up song in the Big Ten is "Louie, Louie" for Penn State's Louis Picconi. Illinois 1, Minnesota 3, Top 3.
Matt from Rochester comments:
Just wanted to mention what a gorgeous stadium Huntington Park seems to be! Must be an exciting end-of-season treat for the players of the Big Ten teams to play in such a beautiful and high quality facility during the conference tournament.
Hi, Matt. Huntington Park is an absolutely beautiful baseball field. Huntington Park is just over a month old as it opened on April 18, 2009. Huntington Park hosts the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.
3:55 PM - Freshman slugger Nick O'Shea joins the homerun party and crushes his ninth homer of the season. O'Shea's blast was a no-doubter. Next spring, you should come out to Siebert Field or the Metrodome early and see the show O'Shea can put on in batting practice. It's worth the price of admission. If you can't wait until next spring, you can check out O'Shea with the Green Bay Bullfrogs of the Northwoods League this summer. O'Shea's nine longballs are the most by a freshman since Luke Appert hit nine as a freshman. Illinois 1, Minnesota 6, Top 4.
Adam from Mendota Heights asks:
Are the Gophers in the regionals regardless of the results this weekend?
Yes, I believe they are. We have a great RPI (probably around 25) and a good record against quality teams. Baseball American recently projected us as a two seed. The selection show is Monday so we will know then!
Steve from Minneapolis asks:
Speaking of walk-up music, what is the best and worst song you've heard since being part of the Gopher baseball program?
Steve, I think one of the worst was the theme song to Top Gun. It was cool for one at-bat. However, the kid had about 150 on the season so it got old. Amanda Hoehn and the marketing staff used to do a "fly-bye" effect in the middle of it which was funny for awhile. Justin Gominsky and Kyle Knudson have quality walk-up songs this year. Gominsky comes out to "Electric Avenue" by Eddy Grant, which I find hilarious. Knudson comes out to O.A.R.'s "This Town" which is a laid back song that is catchy and never got old. When I was a player, back in 20-ought-7, my walk-up song was "Cowboys from Hell" by Pantera. It usually made the crowd behave like soccer houligans. I guess that is my favorite.
4:21 PM - Here are some major league baseball players that had less RBI's during the 2008 season than Derek McCallum has in our 51 games in 2009 (McCallum has 76 RBI's).
Derek Jeter - 69
Delmon Young - 69
Nick Swisher - 69
BJ Upton - 67
Paul Konerko - 62
Kary from Menomenie asks:
Who might the fourth starter of the tournament be for Minnesota if the Gophers go on to win this game?
Kary, hmm...I'm not sure but I think Scott Fern has a great opportunity. I could also see Luke Rasmussen getting a shot although he is our only lefty available.
4:25 PM - Nick O'Shea hits his second homerun of the game. O'Shea now has ten and it will take some digging into the record books to find the last time a Gopher freshman hit ten roundtrippers in a season. Illinois 2, Minnesota 7, Bottom 5.
Aaron from St. Louis Park asks:
Hey Taylor, it's the first time playing in the Big Ten tournament for many of the Gophers. How have then been handling all the distractions and pressures of the tournament so far?
Well, Aaron, the team has been a loose bunch the whole year and they have had the same relaxed mentality this weekend. In the locker rooms before the game, the players have been enjoying playing foosball, darts, and other fun, relaxing games while listening to the loud music and watching the Big Ten Network. These guys have been handling everything well. It really helps that we have such great chemistry between players.
Steve from St. Paul adds:
Your walk-up song "Cowboys from Hell" became a favorite during Wild warm-ups last season! Either Harding or Backstrom was a big fan. I forget which one.
Steve, heck ya! It's cool to know the Wild players are following my lead. Blog Editor's note: Steve from St. Paul currently does the music at Wild games and used to do the music for Gopher Baseball.
4:36 PM - Blog host Taylor Vander Aarde thinks to himself that a lot of Gopher fans out there are neglecting their responsibilities at their workplaces to follow the Gopher Baseball blog. Let's go for 2,000 blog hits! Illinois 2, Minnesota 7, Bottom 6.
4:41 PM - Minnesota is 25 - 1 when leading after six innings. Illinois 2, Minnesota 9, Bottom 6.
Mike from New York City asks:
Who might be a possible 5th game starter? I know I am getting ahead of myself but who might possibly be a fifth starter? Also, I know Chauncy pitched in the bullpen last year - is that customary to start there and work one's way into the starting rotation?
Hi, Mike. I think anybody who hasn't pitched after the fourth game would be in line to start the fifth game. There is no doubt that Minnesota will be doing deep into its bullpen if they want to win this tournament. If we win today, we will have to win two tomorrow and one on Sunday to win the championship. I would venture a guess that Allen Bechstein would be in line to start the fifth game. As for your second question, all three Minnesota weekend starters (Rosin, Buske, and Handran) were relievers first. This is usually the case with every weekend starter but it is not the rule. I think it helps for pitchers to get their feet wet in the bullpen before they shoulder the responsibility of being a starter.
4:50 PM - Nick O'Shea misses hitting a grand slam which would have been his third homerun of the game by about five feet. O'Shea's blast went about 425 feet but curled foul down the left field line. The foul ball goes over about a dozen bleachers over an open walkway and one hops the Bob Evans restaurant past left field. Illinois 2, Minnesota 11, Bottom 6.
5:00 PM - Ladies and gentlemen, now pitching for the Fighting Illini, John Anderson! (no relation to Minnesota head coach John Anderson). Ilinois 2, Minnesota 12, Top 7.
5:06 PM - In four games against Illinois this year, Minnesota has scored 10, 7, 12, and 12 runs. Illinois 3, Minnesota 12, Top 7.
5:08 PM - Minnesota's five run sixth-inning is the Gopher's third five-run inning of the year. The Gopher offense has score five or more runs in an inning on ten ocassions this year. Illinois 4, Minnesota 12, Bottom 7.
5:14 PM - Matt Nohelty now has 90 career stolen bases. Nohelty is only three swipes short of Charlie "The Prince of Perham" Nelson's career mark of 93. Illinois 4, Minnesota 12, Bottom 7.
5:24 PM - Seth Rosin has now pitched a career long outing with 7.1 innings pitched. His previous career long came last week against Penn State when he threw 7 innings giving up four hits while striking out seven and walking none. Each starter today has pitched a career long when we needed them most. It has been great to see Rosin and Tom Buske do everything they can to give the team a chance to win the Big Ten tournament. Illinois 4, Minnesota 13, Top 8.
5:32 PM - Mike Stankiewicz is now pitching for Ilinois. He has the best name in the Big Ten. Illinois 4, Minnesota 13, Bottom 8.
5:34 PM - If Minnesota wins this game, they will go on to play the loser of Indiana and Ohio State tomorrow at 2:35 PM (central). Illinois 4, Minnesota 13, Top 9.
Illinois 4, Minnesota 13, FINAL
