One game and they’re gone again for two weeks. I blame our Illinois weather.
Weather is certainly going to play a factor in our spring schedule. After dropping their home opener to Indiana State, Illinois baseball will be getting away from the nasty cold and wind heading our way. They will travel to the campus of Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville MS to play our nearby rival, the Southern Illinois Salukis.
This will be the first time the two teams will play outside of the state in over 30 years. The Illini (7-6) and Salukis (8-10) will be playing a three-game set this weekend. Despite their losing record, the Salukis have won their last two games.
On the Mound
The Illini are going with a similar rotation this weekend in Mississippi.
Friday: Riley Gowens (0-0, 5.21 ERA)
Saturday: Julius Sanchez (0-2, 5.65 ERA)
Sunday: Jack Wenninger (2-0, 5.02 ERA)
PS Julius Sanchez I need to get a photo of you when you’re next in town.
 Southern Illinois Salukis |
| 8-10 |
| Friday 3pm CT Saturday 1pm CT Sunday 12pm CT |
| Live video | Live audio | Live stats | @IlliniBaseball |
A look at Wednesday’s game
It was so good to see the Illini at home on Wednesday. The weather was almost perfect with the right amount of chill.
Illinois pitching was solid for the first nine frames. Three runs were plated by the Sycamores in the fourth but overall, I was impressed by starter Jake Swartz who was making his first start for Illinois.
It took a while for the Illini offense to get going but they managed to knot it up in the exciting seventh inning. Brody Harding and Cam McDonald both came through with key hits to drive in three runs combined.
Relievers Logan Tabeling, John Lundgren, TJ Concertina and Jack Wenninger combined for five scoreless innings to help give our offense the time to come back. After nine innings, it was still tied, 3-3. Wenninger did not get an appearance in the series against Coastal Carolina since Sunday’s game was cancelled.
Unfortunately, Indiana State exploded for four runs in the top of tenth and that was all she wrote.
Photos from Wednesday’s game below or at this link.
Random Ramblings
I chatted briefly with firstbaseman Drake Westcott before the game. I asked him how he liked playing for Illinois. He simply replied, “Love it!”
Glad you’re enjoying it, Drake.
Since this weekend’s series will be in Mississippi and not in Champaign as originally scheduled, the next home game will held on March 31 against Michigan. Two weeks is a long time to wait for my favorite baseball team!
Coach Dan Hartleb is an alum of Southern Illinois. Word has it that he was a fair-hitting catcher in his day. Hartleb moved on to coaching at SIU before moving to greener pastures.
Speaking of Coach Hartleb, he is just five wins away from Lee Eilbracht’s all time in Illinois wins. With those five, he will be tied with Eilbracht with 518.
During Wednesday’s game, I witnessed something I don’t think I have seen before. An opposing runner crossed home plate after the batter was tagged out at third base thereby nullifying the run.
Crazy! Always hustle.
Go Illini!