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AT ILLINOIS
2006 Junior: Played in 47 games, starting 44 • Started 39 games at DH and five in left field • Fifth on the team in RBI (31) and third in hit by pitches (7) • Had a strong start to the season, getting a hit in six straight games from 2/25-3/10 • Hit .375 (9-for-24) with seven RBI, six runs, two doubles and a homer in that span • Strung together a career-best seven-game hitting streak from 4/9-16 with multiple-hit games in six of those seven contests • Hit .520 (13-for-25) in that span with eight RBI, five runs and five doubles • Had a great series vs. Northwestern, hitting .571 (8-for-14) with two doubles, four runs and three RBI • Hit .475 (19-for-40) from 4/9-23 with 11 RBI, 10 runs, six doubles and a home run in that span • Started that torrid streak with a 2-for-4 game in the third game against Ohio State (4/9) with a double and a career-high four RBI • Had 15 multiple-hit games, all of them with two hits • Stole his first career base at Minnesota on 4/29.
2005 Sophomore: Saw action in 14 games, starting five at DH • Drove in his first run at Illinois against Miami (OH) • Scored his first run at UI vs. Cornell on 3/25 • Notched first extra-base hit at UI with a triple vs. Ohio State (4/3).
PRIOR TO ILLINOIS
Played baseball at Pepperdine, earning one varsity letter • Homered twice in 14 at-bats in 2004, driving in four runs • Slugged .643 for the Waves.
HIGH SCHOOL
Earned four varsity letters at Cherry Creek High School in Denver, Colo., two each in baseball and football • Helped lead Cherry Creek to a Colorado state runner-up finish • Contributed to a team that won a Connie Mack Colorado state championship and a regional runner-up finish.
PERSONAL
Born Oct. 24, 1983 • Parents are Jerry and Tina Kliment • Majoring in business • Father Jerry played baseball at Arizona St. for three years • Lists his biggest thrill in sports as reaching the Connie Mack regional championship game after his team lost its first game in the tournament • John Elway is his favorite athlete because he is a winner • Named to the Academic Athletic Honors List at Pepperdine both years he attended • Plans to someday own his own business after graduation • Also enjoys fishing, camping and music.
