I like Illinois Baseball so much that I think Champaign-Urbana should make the home opener an official city holiday. Unfortunately, this year, we will have to wait just one more day to watch baseball at Illinois Field.
FightingIllini.com announced today that Illinois baseball’s series against Southern Illinois will open with a doubleheader on Saturday at noon at Illinois Field. Sunday’s game at 1pm will proceed as planned.
With three series sweeps in their first four weekends, current Big Ten Player of the Week Jack Yalowitz and the Illini hope to add to their 2019 success against Southern. As of now, the Illini are 10-3 and stand first in the Big Ten. Collegiate Baseball has Illinois ranked #29.
The SIU Salukis are having some success of their own with a 10-5 record. As of late, they have won nine of their last eleven games.
According the FightingIllini.com weekend preview, Coach Hartleb is going with starting rotation that has worked so far…
- Saturday Game 1: Andy Fisher – 2-1, 3.52 ERA
- Saturday Game 2: Ty Weber – 0-0, 1.80 ERA
- Sunday: Cyrillo Watson – 2-0, 2.70 ERA
Watson and Fisher have gotten results for the efforts. In fact, Fisher has given up three hits or less in three of his four starts. As for Watson, he has given up no more than one run in two of his starts.
Yet with the lowest ERA of the three, Weber is still looking for win #1. He had some control issues last weekend but nothing reliever Sean Leland couldn’t help with.
| Southern Illinois University Salukis | |
| Illinois Field | |
| Saturday, March 16 | 1pm CT (doubleheader) Sunday, March 17 | 1pm CT |  |
Coach Dan Hartleb is an alum of Southern Illinois so there is history here. Not only did Coach play there as a decent-hitting catcher but he got his start in coaching in Carbondale.
Each year, it seems the Salukis and Illinois play on a few separate occasions. Regardless of the team’s record each year, it’s a hard fought game and certainly a game worth watching. This year, both teams are off to a good start. The Salukis are off to a 10-5 start. Several of their hurlers are keeping the offense in the game.
Illinois pitchers will need to keep an eye on any hitters that reach base. They are not shy about running. SIU have stolen 47 bases in 57 attempts in their first 15 games. Will LaRue leads the Salukis with 12 thefts.
Random Ramblings
Just a friendly reminder… the grassy parking lot next to Illinois Field will be closed this weekend.
The adjacent parking lots at the State Farm Center or the Bielfeldt Athletics Administration building will be available.
Reading between the lines, it seems like Illini Kellen Sarver has found a home at first base.
Kellen put together a seven-game hit streak which ended on Saturday. Then on Sunday, he collected three hits. Batting .368 with seven rbis, he is now leading the Illini with a .478 OBP.
Get your keychains this weekend!
On both Saturday and Sunday, the promotions department will be handing out free Illinois baseball schedule key chains.
Welcome back, Dave Loane! Dave is starting his 31st year for Illinois baseball behind the mike. Thanks to Scott Beatty who covered the Illinois while Dave finished up the Fighting Illini Volleyball season!
Fans, if you’re in the stands this weekend, come find me and say hi!
See you at the ballpark!