With a convincing 18-10 win over Purdue on Sunday, Illinois baseball has claimed their first Big Ten championship since 2015!
Though it was announced early in game that Illinois had clinched the championship due to Nebraska’s loss to Michigan State, they still sent a message to their future opponents in the Big Ten Baseball Tournament. Driven by a four-run first inning and an eight-run sixth inning, the Illini scored in double digits for the twentieth time in 2024.
It seemed like everyone got in the action. Ryan Moerman hit a homerun in his third straight game. Drake Westcott hit two dingers in one inning! That is the first time that has happened since Dusty Bensko did it in 2005.
Brody Harding collected four hits and drove in three. In all, seven Illinois players had a multi-hit game.
Regan Hall earned his third win of the year and Korey Bunselmeyer hurled three scoreless innings for the save.
Illinois ends the regular season at 33-17 with a 18-6 conference record. That’s two games ahead of second place Nebraska in the Big Ten standings.
Congratulations to the Illinois baseball team!
Not done yet
There is still work to be done. Illinois has the #1 seed going into the Big Ten Baseball Tournament which takes place at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.
Their first challenge is taking on #8 Penn State in the first round.
Here is how the Big Ten Baseball Tournament bracket works for those interested.
The game between Illinois and Penn State (26-23, 12-12 Big Ten) is Tuesday, May 21 at 6pm CT. The game will be televised on Big Ten Network.
For more information on the Big Ten Baseball Tournament, browse to this page on the Big Ten website.
One more thing
That homerun total is now 103. That eclipses the old record by 12.
Let’s go Illinois!