For one, his high school tenure was primarily defined by controlling matters from the mound while being a big part of 55 victories over two seasons at Neuqua Valley.
Meanwhile, the high school tenure of the other was largely defined by being one of the linchpins of the success Benet’s boys’ basketball program has enjoyed during the last six years.
But for all Nick Blackburn and Pat McInerney accomplished during their time at Neuqua Valley and Benet, respectively, what the duo has been a part of during an indescribable three months for Illinois’ baseball program is on another level.
The way both Blackburn, a 2012 Neuqua Valley graduate, and McInerney, a 2013 Benet alumnus, tell it, the 2015 season was ripe to become something special.
A program-record 27-game winning streak, spanning a 5-2 loss at Michigan State on March 29 until a 2-1 loss to Maryland on May 21 during the Big Ten Tournament, got Illinois off to program-best start at 46-6-1.
At 47-8-1, Illinois garnered the No. 6 national seed in the NCAA Tournament while getting the honor of hosting a NCAA Regional for the first time ever.
“With a strong, veteran foundation that we had, we knew we’d have a good year,” said Blackburn, now in his junior year. “We knew we were good and felt confident, too. We just go out there every day and we know that (we can win). We pretty much know that we’re going to win the game. Our execution level has been outstanding and the coaches have been great.”
In 19 appearances out of the bullpen while mostly setting up for Illini closer Tyler Jay, Blackburn has compiled a 3-0 record with a 2.38 ERA in his 22 1/3 innings.
While starting 46 of the 50 games he’s played in during his sophomore year, McInerney has provided another component to Illinois’ lineup in hitting .304 to go with five homers and 33 RBIs.
“We only lost three guys from last year, so we knew we were going to be pretty good,” McInerney said. “But to say that we thought we were going to be this highly ranked and on a this long of a win streak and get all the recognition, nationally and stuff, I don’t think we could have imagined that.
“But now that we’re here and kind of living in the moment, we don’t want to stop. Our goals have always been to go to Omaha (and the College World Series), but when they’re much more realistic as they are this year, it’s something special.”
Its No. 5 ranking in the nation in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll while owning the seventh 40-win season in program history has put Illinois baseball squarely in the national crosshairs.
The second Big Ten title under Dan Hartleb and the program’s third NCAA Tournament trip since Hartleb took over in 2006 has the two roommates relishing the parts they’re playing in a year they hope ends in Omaha, Neb.
“The best part is that usually people see good baseball at all the southern schools and SEC schools,” Blackburn said. “It’s just been nice showing that the kids from Illinois can play a little bit. Of course, winning is fun. We’ve had a blast and our team is great. We’re a bunch of loose guys and we really get along well like on the field and off.
“Of course, we’re just not taking it too serious. We’re just going out there and having fun. We know we’re good and we just go out there with confidence and we know we’re going to get our jobs done.”
After committing to Hartleb and Illinois in August 2011, Blackburn went right to work to try and get McInerney on board.
Despite never facing one another in high school, Blackburn was familiar enough of McInerney’s work at the plate at Benet, which culminated with McInerney hitting .381 with eight homers and 38 RBIs in 2013.
“He’s one of the hardest workers on the team,” Blackburn said of McInerney. “Definitely his power, raw power stands out. Balls just fly off his bat. His approach at the plate has been good. He’s being patient and waiting for pitches he can hit. He’s definitely one of the anchors in the middle of our order that really helps us drive in runs.
McInerney’s praise of Blackburn is evident, as well, after watching him work up close for the last two years, in addition to his time at Neuqua Valley, which ended with a 7-4 record and a 1.59 ERA in 2012.
“The thing about Nick is he’s a competitor,” McInerney said. “He hates to lose and that shows. That showed in high school. He’s a bulldog. He was telling me the other day he pitched all these complete games (at Neuqua Valley) and never really came out of the game. He hates to lose and I think his stuff has only gotten better.”
One could arguably say the same thing for Illinois’ baseball program on the whole.
