Illini back home fighting for Tournament qualification

Last weekend was big, there was no doubt about that. A split against the #13 team in the country on their home turf is a big victory in my book. More importantly, it meant that the Illinois squad didn’t lose ground in the fight to qualify for the Big Ten tournament which is less than two weeks away.

This weekend the University of Illinois team takes on Indiana at Illinois Field. The Hoosiers are in 9th place currently. Last week, I asked shortstop Shawn Roof about this weekend’s series against Indiana jokingly trying to goad him into the thinking that this would be an “easy” series. Of course knowing Shawn, I knew he wouldn’t bite. He says the team’s taking this series VERY seriously. He pointed out that Indiana has defeated
Illinois a few times in the past few years.

Here are the times for the games this weekend:

May 11 – 6:05 pm
May 12 (DH) – 3:05 pm
May 13 – 1:05 pm

So come on out and show your support! Let’s pack the stands!!

Other Illini Baseball news:

Ryan Snowden

Smartypants Ryan Hastings and Ryan Snowden were named first team Academic All-District by ESPN Magazine.

While we’re on the topic of smarts and all, the whole team was honored with the NCAA’s Public Recognition award because of recording a multiyear Academic Progress Rate score which was in the top 10% of all Division I baseball teams. Nice going, guys!

This weekend keep an eye on Shawn Roof. He is about to break some records. From the Fighting Illini website:

Shawn Roof continues his ascent up the stolen base and HBP record lists. Roof is now tied for both the single-season steals and HBP records and stands in second on both career lists. In addition, he is one steal from tying his Big Ten season mark from 2006 and is currently tied with his Big Ten season HBP record from last year. On April 8, Roof was hit by a pitch four times in the second game against Ohio State, breaking the single-game school record. He also tied the single-game steals record on March 4 against
Stephen F. Austin by swiping four bags.

That’s it for now. See you at Illinois Field.

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