Winning Illini baseball host Purdue Boilermakers

Kevin Duchene sports an unreal 0.64 ERA for the Illini

This weekend, #12 Illini baseball (26-6-1, 5-1 Big Ten) will host  Purdue (11-21, 1-5 Big Ten) for a three-game series.  The schedule is moved back one day so games will be played on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  The good news… the Big Ten Network will be broadcasting both Sunday’s and Monday’s games!  Illinois baseball looks to extend their seven game winning streak. Further, the Illini are currently second place in the Big Ten standings.  I’m sure they would like to overtake Iowa who have yet to lose a conference game.

The Fighting Illini weekend preview is now posted.  It’s the Starting 3 as usual.  Kevin Duchene (4-1, 0.64 ERA) is the Satuday starter.  Drasen Johnson (4-2, 2.53) is on the mound Sunday and John Kravetz (3-0, 3.02) takes the hill on Monday.

If you need further enticement beyond good baseball to come to the ballpark, check out the promotions for this weekend!  Note:  Governor Rauner was scheduled to throw out the first pitch on Saturday but due to the heavy damage caused by the recent weather in Illinois, he has cancelled so he can focus his efforts on that.

 

My take on Purdue

The Boilermakers started off winning four of their first eight games in 2015 but since then it’s been a pretty rough season for Purdue.  They suffered a seven-game losing streak towards the end of March.  Things didn’t get much better when they were swept by conference rival Iowa a week later.

First baseman Kyle Wood is Purdue’s big man with the bat.  He leads the team in homeruns (7), rbis (22) as well as hitting (.362).  Illini reliever Charlie Naso may go over and say howdy to Wood since the two of them both went to St. Laurence High School in Orlando Park, Illinois.

Regardless of their 11-21 record, expect Purdue to play tough.  Historically, Purdue has a history of being an assertive, aggressive squad that plays to win.  They have an admirable quality of having everybody in game and trying to get into their opponent’s kitchen.

 

Random Ramblings

Congrats to smartypants Jason Goldstein!  Not only can he drive in runs but he was recognized as this week’s Illini Scholar-Athlete of the Week.  Goldy is rocking a 3.20 GPA in Industrial Engineering.  I happened to notice that Rob McDonnell was a nominee this week as well.

Also, Tyler Jay was selected  to the Golden Spikes Midseason Watch List.  There are only 60 on this national list of recognized college players.  Jay has a 0.79 ERA and is tied for the team lead with a 4-1 record.  On May 22nd, USA Today will narrow this list down further.

Keep it up, Tyler!

Speaking of Tyler, the Big Ten Network is recording a feature on him.  Look for it on BTN!  Fighting Illini posted some photos of video production on Twitter to whet your appetite.

The @BigTenNetwork is here filming a feature on #Illini Tyler Jay. Quick lift to start things off. pic.twitter.com/lJGwjgc5F3

— Illinois Baseball (@IlliniBaseball) April 10, 2015

 

Go Illini!!