April 23, 2008

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois junior second baseman Joe Bonadonna was named to the National All-Star Lineup as selected by the College Baseball Foundation and Diamond Sports after hitting .692 and helping Illinois to a series victory at Minnesota last weekend. It is Illinois' first national weekly honor since Mike Stankiewicz was named to the CBF National Honor Roll on April 17, 2007.

Bonadonna hit an astonishing .692 last weekend, scoring four runs and driving in three while reaching base at a .706 clip and stealing three bases. It was the first time a conference opponent has won a four-game series from the Gophers at Siebert Field since 2000. He then continued his hot streak by going 2-for-5 with a run and a stolen base Tuesday against Illinois State

The Buffalo Grove, Ill., native ran his string of consecutive hits to nine on Tuesday before striking out in the fourth inning. He scored a run in every game last week and continued that streak against Illinois State on Tuesday. Bonadonna is now leading the Illini with a .418 average in Big Ten play and is 10-of-11 stealing bases in conference action. He is having a career year, hitting .366 with 45 hits, 29 runs, seven doubles, 23 RBIs and 19 steals overall, all career-bests.