For those of you who have been putting off catching an Illini game this season, let me warn you, there are only five left. Of course, I highly recommend the highly anticipated matchup between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Illinois this weekend. But if your weekend plans don’t see it that way, don’t fret. There are two midweek games at Illinois Field on Tuesday and Wednesday that certainly fit the bill.
On Tuesday night, the Illini host Western Illinois University who in my opinion, have the coolest nickname in the NCAA, the Leathernecks. Gametime is at 6:30pm.
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Game #44 |
Record: 30-13 (14-4 Big Ten) |
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vs Western Illinois University Leathernecks | at Illinois Field, Champaign, IL |
| May 5 | 6:30pm CT |
To say that WIU’s pitching staff has had a rough time of it in 2009 would be an understatement to say the least. For the season, they have allowed 371 earned runs in 332 1/3 innings for a whopping 10.05 ERA. Yes, I thought that was a typo too. The lowest ERA on the team belongs to Eric Eden who sports a 6.75 mark. It only gets higher from there.
Not to be snide but the fact that they’ve won 12 (and four of their last six) games, must say something about their offense. Indeed, Drew Ladig and Tyler Metcalf are two hitters to watch. Ladig is second in The Summit League in batting with a .385 average. Metcalf provides the power for the ‘Necks. He leads the team with 11 homers and 42 rbis.
Opponent:
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Western Illinois University Leathernecks |
| Conference: | The Summit League |
| Head Coach: | Stan Hyman (8th year) |
| Current Record: | 12-28 (7-12 Summit League) |
| Baseball Program website | Team Media Guide |
| WIU Team Facts: | WIU is last in pitching in The Summit League with a 10.05 ERA. |
| WIU Player to Watch: | Drew Ladig is 2nd in the conference with a .385 batting average.. |