Eastern Illinois isn’t just another game on the schedule for the Illinois baseball team. Most of the players will have other thoughts in the backs of their minds when they play.

When the Illini pile into their dugout Tuesday night in Mattoon, Ill., they will be without head coach Dan Hartleb for the fourth straight game, the sixth in the last two weeks.

In that time, Hartleb has made three separate trips home to Hamilton, Ohio, to be with his ailing father.

He made his third trip just before the series opener last Friday against Northwestern, and on Saturday afternoon, his dad passed away at 86.

“We all stick together like a family, so obviously when we lose somebody, it hurts,” said associate head coach Eric Snider, who has served as head coach in Hartleb’s absence.

Despite the circumstances, the Illini know they can’t be too distracted Tuesday night. The Panthers have lost 22 of 31 games this season, but 11 of those losses have come against teams ranked in the top 25.

Eastern Illinois has also collected 11 more hits than Illinois in one less game played.

Junior Caleb Howell upped his batting average to .431 over the weekend, which leads the Panthers by far. He also leads his team in runs (30) and hits (53).

As of March 30, his batting average ranked 12th in the nation at .429.

Lately though, the Illini have been on a hot streak. They have won 10 of their last 12 games, coming off of five straight wins over Purdue and Northwestern.

Illinois’ offensive output is as consistent than it’s been all season, having scored at least six runs in five of its last seven games.

Playing without No. 1 starting pitcher Kevin Duchene hasn’t slowed Illinois down much on the mound. While the left-handed sophomore has been cautiously ruled out with a forearm strain for nearly a month, other Illini pitchers have effectively filled his place.

Illinois shut out Northwestern in two of three games over the weekend and held them to just two runs in 16 hits in the series.

In Duchene’s absence, the Illini have started four different pitchers and utilized another eight in relief to improve the team’s record to 17-11.

“We know that if we (the starters) get in trouble, someone is coming behind us to pick us up,” said sophomore pitcher Rob McDonnell, who will start Tuesday night.

Without Hartleb, the Illini’s game plan hasn’t change. But players and coaches both know a win does more than just extend the steak.

It also sends a bit of good news to a person who needs it most.

“I think until he comes back and is with us again, he’ll definitely be on our minds,” shortstop Adam Walton said of Hartleb. “(We’re) definitely playing for him and his dad.”

J.J. can be reached at [email protected] and @Wilsonable07.