By Jason Grodsky

Staff Writer

While college baseball players from around the country are preparing to take the field in Omaha, Neb. for the 2006 College World Series this weekend, players from the Illinois baseball team are doing more than sitting around waiting for next year’s season to start.

After being bounced from postseason play in the Big Ten Tournament by Purdue on May 25th, many members of the Illini baseball had little time to relax and reflect on their season-finish tie for fifth in the Big Ten at 15-17 and 29-29 overall.

Fifteen players packed their bags shortly after the conclusion of the season and headed off to various ball parks across the country to play on NCAA-sanctioned wooden-bat collegiate summer leagues.

Among those playing in summer leagues are sophomore pitcher Tanner Roark and junior pitcher Blake Hopkins.

“Playing summer ball relaxes me,” Roark said. “It’s giving me the chance to get a good amount of innings on mound and to work on my mechanics. But mostly I’m just going out there and having fun.”

While some Illini traveled as far as North Carolina to play ball, Hopkins and Roark chose to play closer to home as a part of the Danville Dans of the Central Illinois Collegiate League.

“It’s good to play locally because you know the area well,” Roark said.

In his first season of Big Ten play as a freshman Roark was one of Illinois’ top starters, finishing the year 4-0 with a 4.99 ERA to earn second-best on the team behind senior Matt Whitmore. Roark also finished second in opponent’s batting average, only allowing opposing players to hit .296 in 52 1/3 innings of work.

“I thought I did pretty well in my first year,” Roark said. “I struggled a little early on in fall ball, but I was finally able to come around during the season.”

In his first start of the summer against the Dupage County Dragons Roark threw 6 2/3 innings and gave up 10 hits and six earned runs and walked six batters.

“I felt I pitched pretty well in my first outing,” Roark said. “But then again, to my standards I didn’t feel I pitched as well as I can. I put a 100 percent into my performance, but it just didn’t work out.”

While Roark struggled in his first appearance, Hopkins flourished.

He showcased his talent on the mound, pitching seven innings, giving up just three hits and only one run while striking out eight.

Roark will get another opportunity in Quincy, Ill., when he takes the hill against the Quincy Gems at QU-Stadium at 6:30 p.m.

“I have to keep working on developing my changeup and slider, and making sure I keep my arm slot the same with every pitch I throw,” Roark said. “If I do that I know I’ll do well.”