In last weekend’s pod series, Illinois baseball won two against Michigan State and lost two versus Purdue at Illinois Field. It was an offensive-laden series on all sides as Illinois scored 38 runs for the four games as well as giving up 38 runs.
The Illini finish the weekend at 10-14 and remain in 10th place in the Big Ten.
Friday
 | Michigan State | 4 |
 | Illinois | 13 |
Illinois came back from a 4-1 deficit against the Spartans thanks in part to a bases-loaded double by Ryan Hampe in the fifth inning.
The big hero was Cole Kirschsieper who came in relief and pitched six innings of one-hit ball. He earned his well-deserved second win.
Kellen Sarver and Cam McDonald collected three hits in the game.
FightingIllini.com recap | Illinois Baseball Report photos
Saturday
| Michigan State | 8 |
| Illinois | 15 |
Illinois upped their game and outscored their Friday output by scoring 15 runs on Saturday against the Spartans.
Kellen Sarver and Ryan Hampe contributed to the offense combining for seven hits. One of Sarver’s hits was a solo homerun. Jacob Campbell also contributed three hits. Campbell has been playing left field to get his bat in the lineup. Good call by Coach.
Starter Nate Lavender got the job done. He allowed four hits and four runs in five 2/3 innings for his fourth win. He is now 4-0 on the season.
FightingIllini.com recap | Illinois Baseball Report photos
Sunday
 | Purdue | 6 |
| Illinois | 4 |
Xavier Watson and Cam McDonald both homered on Sunday but Illinois just could not pull off a win over Purdue.
Starter Riley Gowens put together a strong start giving up three hits and two runs while striking out six in five innings.
FightingIllini.com recap | Illinois Baseball Report photos
Monday
| Purdue | 20 |
| Illinois | 6 |
Not a lot went right on a windy Monday for the Illini. Even when Illinois put together a four-run rally in the seventh inning, they were already behind 14-2.
Twenty runs were scored the against Illini. Fortunately, they were spread out among eight Illini pitchers that appeared on Sunday. In fact, a total of fifteen pitchers were used by both teams.
Kellen Sarver helped the cause and went 3 for 4 with two rbis.
FightingIllini.com recap | Illinois Baseball Report photos
Random Ramblings
If you think I mentioned Champaign native Kellen Sarver’s name a few times in this recap, you’re right. He went 9 for 16 over the weekend including three 3-hit games. That more than doubles his hit total for the season.
Leaders in the Big Ten
- Justin Janas .397 BA (2nd), .500 OBP 2nd)
- Branden Comia 25 runs (4th)
- Jackson Raper .700 SLG (2nd)
Pod thoughts
Purdue is obviously the big winner of this weekend’s pod series. Coming into the weekend, they were 6-15. They managed to win all four games of the weekend; two against Illinois and two against Michigan State.
The Spartans who came in with an 11-11 record lost all four games.
My thoughts on the pod schedule?? This is second pod weekend that Illinois has participated and the first they have hosted. It seems that a lot goes into pulling this off and it’s a grueling extended weekend especially for the players, coaches and staff that make these events happen.
Results aside, I like the “mini-tournament” style that the pod schedule seems to emulate. It provides some rivalry which can help the game.
Speaking of which…
Next up
The Illini aren’t done with Purdue. They are heading to West Lafayette next weekend for a three-game series with Purdue. That’s right, five straight games against the Boilermakers. I’m hoping Illinois players have revenge on their mind.