Illinois baseball has an in-state weekend series starting tomorrow. They travel (just a little) south to visit the Southern Illinois Salukis. The Salukis are off to a good start in 2022. Not only are they 13-4 but they are 8-1 at home. Gametime Friday is 6pm.
There’s a strong connection between these two teams. Illinois Head Coach Dan Hartleb is an SIU alum and coached the Salukis before coming to Illinois.
After a shaky start, Illinois (6-8) is finding their winning ways. They have won three of their last four games including Tuesday’s midweek game against Butler 13-4.
On the mound
According to the Fighting Illini preview, the coaching staff is keeping the pitching probables a secret as all three are listed as TBA.
I do have to wonder if Jack Crowder will get a nod after his fine performance on Tuesday night. Crowder allowed one run in six innings.
| Southern Illinois Salukis | 13-4 |
| Itchy Jones Stadium | Carbondale, Illinois |
| Friday, March 18 | 6pm CT Saturday, March 19 | 2pm CT Sunday, March 20 | 1pm CT |  |
| WDWS AM1400 | Live Stats |
Tuesday vs. Butler
Illinois 13 Butler 4
The bats were swinging on Tuesday night against the Butler Bulldogs. Jacob Cambell drove home four runs and Branden Comia drove in three all with his sixth inning homerun. By then, it was 10-1 and the game was pretty much sealed away.
This was Jack Crowder’s first start and he made the most of it. In six innings, he struck out six opposing batters and only allowed one run. He certainly earned his first Illini win.
Isaac Siefken (that’s a photo of him up top) and Tommy Green both put in solid appearances in relief.
You can see my photos from Tuesday’s game at the IBR photo gallery.
Random Ramblings
I can get past the fact that SIU is 8-1 at home. I’m just slightly jealous that they have had nine home games already in Carbondale.
Illinois has a few more points of connection with SIU. Aside from being state schools, they share more than Coach Hartleb in common.
This weekend, the two teams will be playing at Itchy Jones Stadium. Jones has a huge place in SIU baseball history but afterwards, he came to Illinois and continued his work. He was a big mentor to Coach Hartleb and if you look at all-time wins by college baseball coaches, Itchy Jones ranks 37th with 1242 victories.
Cam McDonald isn’t just a good athlete. He’s a good student. So says those who award the @PFDairy Scholar-Athlete award.
Keep up the good work, Cam!
Go Illini!!