July 8, 2008

ROCHESTER, Minn. - Sophomore starting pitcher Phil Haig (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) was named to the Northwoods League midseason all-star team Monday after going 4-1 with a 1.05 ERA for the Rochester Honkers in the first half of the season. Haig was named to the North Division all-star team and is one of six Big Ten players on the two all-star squads.

Haig already has surpassed his innings total from this past spring in just six starts during the summer, racking up 42 2/3 innings while allowing just 26 hits, five earned runs, 18 walks and 27 strikeouts. He hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any start and came one out from tossing a complete game on June 15 at Duluth. Haig went 2-3 with a 6.19 ERA in 36 1/3 innings of work for the Illini during the spring.

Haig's finest outing came against Battle Creek on June 9 when he fired eight innings of two-hit shutout ball, walking two and striking out a season-high 10. He currently ranks fourth in the Northwoods League in ERA, is tied for fifth in wins and ranks fifth in innings pitched. Haig has helped the Rochester staff to an ERA of 2.96, which is currently tied for the NWL lead.