This weekend was full of highs and lows as Illinois baseball split a four-game pod weekend against #13 Michigan and Michigan State.
A big highlight was an opening win against ranked Michigan on Friday afternoon. The split doubleheader on Saturday led to two losses but Illinois regrouped for a closing win against the Spartans for a weekend split.
Here’s a game-by-game look:
Game 9
 | Illinois | 7 |
 | Michigan | 4 |
What a win for the Illini!
Andrew Hoffman once again showed his consistency allowing just two earned runs in six innings. Yet, he is still looking for his first win of 2021. Nate Lavender pitched in efficient long relief pitching three innings and got the win, his second of the year.
Illinois went into the 8th tied 3-3 and managed a four-run rally. Justin Janas drove home Ryan Hampe on a sac fly for the official winning run. Illinois didn’t stop there. A Branden Comia double and singles by Cal Hejza and Taylor Jackson contributed to the rally.
Jackson also went 4 for 5 with four rbis and two doubles for the game.
Game 10
| Illinois | 1 |
| Michigan | 8 |
Game 11
| Illinois | 3 |
 | Milwaukee | 2 |
Saturday was simply not Illinois’ day. They lost to both Michigan and Michigan State in a split doubleheader. Opponents in the doubleheader scored 19 runs to the Illini’s measly 1. In both games, Illinois spotted their opponent four runs in the first inning.
Comia, Jackson, Hampe and Brody Harding each collected two hits each for the doubleheader.
Let’s put this day behind us, eh?
Game 12
 | Northwestern | 8 |
| Illinois | 12 |
Illinois did indeed put it all behind them and came to win on Saturday. Cole Kirschsieper left the game in the fifth with a shutout going. An inherited runner did score but nevertheless, Cole K was able to spread out seven hits efficiently.
It was Ryan O’Hara (seen above) who got the W, his first with the Illini. Cam McDonald had a good day at the plate. He rapped two hits including a double. He drove home two and scored two.
Way to battle, boys!
Random Ramblings
It’s hard to believe but Branden Comia still has a on-base streak going all the way back to 2019. His current streak totals 30 games at this point.
While, Comia got off to a slow start this season, he racked up seven hits this weekend. He upped his batting average to .256 and his OBP to .442.
Cam McDonald can play pretty much any position on the field. So far this season, he’s played third, first, right and center. This past weekend, Coach Hartleb wanted to see how he would settle in the right field spot.
See for yourself…
Illinois has had players who will do anything to help the team and Cam is one of them. At the same time, I wonder if stability will help. It certainly showed in Cam’s bat (and glove) on Sunday.
Finally, I have not seen any indications that Illinois will settle into a closer yet. If they do, it will probably be between Nate Lavender and Ryan Kutt. The two of them have pitched late and have succeeded. Combined, they have given up just two runs in 15 1/3 innings. Lavender (seen above) has 12 strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings too.
Next up
Illinois will be returning home next weekend to host hot-hitting Northwestern (7-3) for a three-game series. Friday’s game time is 4pm.