Corey Kimes is the scheduled Sunday starter this weekend
Illinois travels to Ann Arbor this weekend to play Michigan. One note before I go on… the Friday game has been moved up to 3:05pm because of weather.
Illinois’ offense will need to find their bats as they are currently haven’t scored a run in 16 innings. I’ve heard the term “Midweek Curse” bandied about Illinois Field. I don’t know about that since I know there many factors that go into it but I do know this… these weekend conference games are oh so important.
Here is a link to fightingillini.com’s weekend preview.
Michigan Wolverines |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 15, 2011 | 3:05 pm ct | |||
| April 16, 2011 | 2:05 pm ct | |||
| April 17, 2011 | 12:05 pm ct | |||
| Wilpon Complex | Ann Arbor, MI | |||
| Program website link | Record | 9-22 (2-4 in the Big Ten) | ||
| Head Coach: | Rich Maloney | Key Player: | Patrick Biondi (.305, 18 r, 17 sb) | |
Time was, the University of Michigan was a dynasty in Big Ten baseball. They were the team to beat and were a lock for the top two positions in the standings. They were the ones to go on the Regionals.
That was then and this is now. 2011 has not been kind to the Wolverines. They started the season by losing their first eight games and have also suffered two additional four game losing streaks. Currently, they are 9-22. Another telling stat: Michigan has been outscored by their opponents by an incredible 204-124 margin.
But that said, this is Michigan. The same team who holds a 130-98-2 all-time record against the UI. When it comes to the Wolverines, you can throw win-loss records and stats out the window. Every day is a brand new game with them.
PS Michigan catcher Crank Coley has one of coolest baseball names in college baseball. He’s living up to it as he has three dingers already this year.
Random Ramblings
There will be live audio and Gametracker for all three games on fightingillini.com. On Friday and Sunday, Big Ten Network will be broadcasting live audio on their website.
Kudos to the bullpen as of late. Wes Braun (above), Will Strack, Luke Joyce and others have really been enjoying some considerable success in the late innings.
Let’s go Illini!