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QUICK HITS
• First Illini pitcher to finish undefeated in Big Ten since 1998
AT ILLINOIS
2006 Senior: Began the season as Illinois' closer before becoming the No. 1 starter in late April • Converted his first six save chances and six of eight on the season • Recorded his first win of the season at Ohio State in the third game after blowing a save, going 3 1/3 shutout innings and allowing three hits while striking out two • Gave a heroic effort after blowing a save in the doubleheader nightcap against Northwestern (4/15), going six innings and allowing two runs on nine hits with six strikeouts for a no-decision • Won two of his three first starts - getting a no-decision in the other - defeating Iowa and Michigan • Was virtually unhittable against Michigan, throwing a complete-game six-hitter, allowing one run and one walk while striking out a career-high eight • Allowed a season low for hits in a start - three - against Iowa, going 6 1/3 innings and allowing three runs with four walks and six strikeouts to get the win • Threw five strong innings at Indiana, giving up a run on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts before leaving with what was later discovered to be a small labrum tear.
2005 Junior: Finished 3-0 in the Big Ten, the first Illini pitcher to go undefeated in Big Ten play since Brett Weber in 1998 • Defeated Ohio State (4/2), Michigan (4/16) and Penn State (4/30), helping the Illini sweep the Buckeyes and salvage splits with Michigan and PSU • Had best outing of season vs. Michigan, throwing a complete-game four-hitter, allowing one run and two walks while striking out five • Earned a save in Illinois' first win of the season, going four innings in a 7-6 victory at #21 Winthrop • Pitched for the East Peoria Scrappers of the Central Illinois Collegiate League in the summer of 2005 • Named CICL Pitcher of the Week on Aug. 1 after striking out 13 in a seven-inning complete game • Finished 3-2 with a 3.63 ERA for East Peoria, allowing opponents to hit only .229.
PRIOR TO ILLINOIS
2003-04: Earned two varsity letters for baseball at John A. Logan College • Had a career record of 22-4 at John Logan with 174 strikeouts and 53 walks in 172 innings • Named a third team NJCAA All-American in 2004 • Named Great Rivers Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year • Named Region 24 Pitcher of the Year • Named to the All-GRAC, all-Region 24 and all-district teams in 2004 • Helped lead John Logan to a GRAC championship and a Region 24 championship.
HIGH SCHOOL
Earned six varsity letters, three each in baseball and basketball, at Evansville (Ind.) Central • Notched a 21-6 record in three seasons, including a 9-3 mark with a 1.27 ERA in his 2002 senior season • Twice named to the All-Southern Indiana Athletic Conference team • Twice named to the All-Metro team.
PERSONAL
Born Feb. 14, 1984 • Parents are David and Jennifer • Majoring in kinesiology • Has two younger sisters - Nichole, 18, and Krissie, 15 • Lists his favorite athlete as Albert Pujols because he's an amazing player • After graduating, he plans to be a coach • Enjoys golfing and fishing in his free time.
