One weekend down. The Illinois baseball team took the first game of the season then drop the last two of the weekend down in the warmer climes of Winston-Salem.
I’m sure the Illini wish they could have pulled at least one more win out but we saw some good play from new guys that made think this will be a fun season.
Friday, February 14
 | Illinois | 3 |
 | Milwaukee | 2 |
It seemed like it was seniors on the hill and the transfers who got the offensive job done. Ty Weber (above) was all business as he allowed four hits and one run in six frames. Ryan Schmitt and Garrett Acton (also seniors) combined for one hit and one run for the balance of the game. Acton earned his first save of 2020.
And how about transfer Nathan Aide? He hit a homer in his first Illini at-bat! Alex Steinbach (who comes to Illinois from crosstown Parkland College) doubled later in the game scoring Aide.
Saturday, February 15
 | Seton Hall | 10 |
| Illinois | 2 |
Things sort fell apart against Seton Hall after the seventh inning but it isn’t too hard to find a silver lining in this loss.
Starter Ty Rybarczyk (also from Parkland College) is looking really good! His line for Saturday’s game: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB and 5 K. I know Ty is a team player but this has to be a boost to his confidence.
Pitcher Ryan Kutt made his first outing since 2018 after injuries made him miss the 2019 season. It didn’t quite go how he wanted. I’m looking forward to more of Ryan when he gets back on track.
Sunday, February 16
| Illinois | 3 |
 | #18 Wake Forest | 5 |
Centerfielder Taylor Jackson made a statement when he hit the very first pitch of the game against #18 Wake Forest.
It was a hard fought, roller-coaster battle but unfortunately Illinois couldn’t pull out the win. Starter Aidan Maldonado gave up four runs in 4 1/3 innings but the numbers I’m looking at are this… he struck out seven while walking none!
Cole Kirshsieper finished out the game in long relief.
Random Ramblings
Fun Stats
- Nathan Aide: 4 for 11, HR, 4 rbis
- Taylor Jackson: 4 for 13, HR
- Branden Comia: 3 for 7, 3 BB
- Ty Rybarczyk: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 K
- Ty Weber: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 6 K
Looking on the national baseball scene, #1 Louisville was defeated by Ole Miss two games to one. Louisville’s assistant coach Eric Snider was Coach Hartleb’s right hand man for many years before he left five years ago.
Next up: Illinois baseball will go to South Carolina on Friday for a three-game series playing Western Carolina, Coastal Carolina and West Virginia.
Go Illini!