Matt Dittman practices his “mean” face before the game with Eastern.
It’s late so I’m going to keep this short. The Illini are heading to Marion, IL to play Coach Hartleb’s alma mater, Southern Illinois University. Hartleb will play down his time at SIU but word has it he was pretty good as a catcher with the Salukis, hitting over .300 in his college career.
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Game #31 |
Record: 21-9 (6-3 Big Ten) |
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vs Southern Illinois University Salukis | at Rent One Park, Marion, Il |
| April 15 | 6:00pm CT |
The Illinois-SIU game will not be played on Southern’s home field rather they will take the field at Rent One Park in Marion, Illinois. That’s the home field of the Southern Illinois Miners a team in the independent Frontier League. Illinois’ Brian Blomquist played for the Miners after he left here.
The scoop on Rent One is that it’s similar to our field… it has the same field turf Illinois Field does. The difference is that the mound is also covered with turf. The mound at Illinois Field is dirt (it’s the ONLY dirt you’ll find there). Word has it, it does take some getting used to.
I hope some of the Illini faithful get down to Marion for the game. SIU fans are pretty rabid about their baseball, I hear so it would be nice to have some dissension.
Opponent: |
Southern Illinois University Salukis |
| Conference: | Missouri Valley Conference |
| Head Coach: | Dan Callahan (15th year) |
| Current Record: | 14-20 (3-5 MVC) |
| Baseball Program website | Team Media Guide |
| SIU Team Facts: | Not a speedy team, SIU has only 13 stolen bases in 34 games. |
| SIU Players to Watch: | Mark Kelly leads the team in hitting (.355) and rbis (27). Andrew Dunn has a 2.95 with a 4-3 record. He’s only allowed 7 walks in 36 2/3 innings. |