After a couple of weeks, it's time to start blogging again.  I spent two weeks ago doing a lot of work to get ready for my time off, and I spent last week just staying away from it all.  It's nice every once in a while to just take a week off from everything, and I was able to accomplish that last week.  Plus I spent a good chunk of my time practicing for an upcoming disc golf tournament that I will play in at the end of the month.  It's in Peoria, and it will be the biggest tournament I have ever played in, so I am excited.  In six practice rounds last week, I was able to shoot a total of -17.  Things are starting to look good, and I am almost ready to go.  I will keep you up to date on that as we move forward, even though it isn't Illini related.  But right now, it's back to work, and blogging, and it looks like there was a whole lot that happened since I last made an entry on here. 

I was hoping to get out to Illinois field over the weekend to watch some awesome baseball between two teams not only ranked in the top 30, but two teams that were fighting for a conference title.  I just got too busy over the last few days, and I wasn't able to go.  Sounds like I missed some top notch baseball.  I was shocked that we were able to get a win in game one with a 3 run 9th.  OSU pitcher Alex Wimmers threw a no-hitter the previous week against Michigan, and he was looking pretty sharp again on Friday.  However, Illinois was able to get into the OSU bullpen, and were able to pull out a huge victory.  Unfortunately, they lost the last two games of that series, but they are still in a good position to try and win the conference title.  They are one of four teams separated by only a game, and one of three teams separated by only half a game.  They got Purdue starting on Thursday, and you know the Illini will be ready for this one. 

Also, congrats to Terri Sullivan and the Illini softball team.  They made it to the NCAA Tournament after going 29-15 overall and 12-7 in the Big Ten Conference.  That double-header sweep of Northwestern a few weeks ago probably played a huge role in the Illini getting in.  They have to travel to Missouri to play in a four-team double-elimination format against Missouri (45-9), DePaul (37-12) and Bradley (26-25).  As you may recall, the Illini lost to DePaul 6-2 in a game that Eric Loy and I had on News Talk 1400 WDWS.  Keep your eyes on DePaul pitcher Becca Heteniak, who not only can be a dominant pitcher, but also can handle the bat.  She had a home run that landed on Florida Ave. in the first inning of that game.  Now THAT is power.

Baseball and softball aren't the only things going on for the U of I.  You got to show some "luv" for the men and women's tennis team.  Unfortunately, the women's team fell in the second round of the NCAA tournament.  They took on #16 Fresno St. and fought tough before a 4-3 loss.  As for the men, they have made it once again to the sweet sixteen.  The #13 Illini will take on #4 Georgia in College Station, TX on Thursday.

Wow, how about these Illini?  The spring sport teams didn't disappoint at all this year, and it's possible that the best is yet to come.  Just got to keep watching and cheering them on.

I-L-L...