Nearly every time Illini center fielder Justin Parr came to bat Sunday, the Big Ten Network announcers referred to him as the best hitter in the Big Ten. They talked about him while he was on-deck or due up in the next inning. 

The entire Illinois dugout seemingly pays closer attention when the 6-foot-2 Parr comes into the left-handed batters box, taking his batting stance with almost no bend in his knees. 

“It’s almost like you expect him to get a hit,” shortstop Thomas Lindauer said. “This is such a game of failure, but when he goes up there, he’s probably going to get a hit.”

All eyes will be on Parr again Tuesday when Illinois (24-12, 6-6 Big Ten) takes on Eastern Illinois University (14-22, 5-12 Ohio Valley) at Peterson Park in Mattoon, Ill. Illinois looks to avenge an 8-4 loss at home to Eastern on April 9, and Parr will attempt to extend his hitting streak to 25 games. A hit Tuesday would tie Parr with senior Ryan Snowden’s Illinois record of 25 games hits in 2007. 

“It’s cool, it’s a lot of fun,” Parr said. “It’s something that just kind of adds a little bit of extra incentive during the game, but for the most part I’m just trying to do the same thing when I go up to bat: Hit the ball hard, have quality at-bats and do whatever I can to help the team win.”

Head coach Dan Hartleb said he sees similarities in both Parr and Snowden’s hitting streaks and joked that he’s glad he didn’t take either out of a game to end the streak himself. Snowden accomplished his hitting streak when he was a senior in 2007, and Parr may break his streak, also as a senior. Snowden started the 2007 season 0-for-7 before he put together his streak, but his season still isn’t much in comparison to what Parr has done.  

Parr has spent the entire year pummeling opposing pitching with his average at .435 with 67 hits and an on-base percentage of .482. He is at or near the top in the Big Ten in almost every major hitting category.

Yet Parr still comes to practice early to take extra batting practice. When asked what this hit streak would mean to him, he paused before admitting it would be humbling because he insists he’s just been lucky. 

Yeah, lucky for 24 straight games — the longest active streak in the NCAA.

He’s done it with bunt singles, infield hits, home runs and has even hit for the cycle. Sometimes his hit has come in the last at-bat, sometimes the first, but in only two of Illinois’ 36 games this season has he failed to get a hit at all.

“What he’s been able to do this year is almost freakishly impressive,” Lindauer said. “He’s literally doing everything, and it’s really fun to watch from a teammate and friend standpoint.” 

Jamal can be reached at [email protected] and @jamalcollier.