Illinois (15-18, 4-8) ends its seven-game homestand with a weekend series against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-24, 4-5). Both teams are entering the weekend off of series losses to Big Ten opponents. Illinois lost two of three against Indiana, and Minnesota dropped two of three versus Iowa.

The Illini also lost their midweek matchup against their neighbors an hour south, the Panthers of Eastern Illinois. The game was quite the defensive showcase, as the teams could only muster a total of six hits through the first 10 innings, and the teams were scoreless through the first 11. The Panthers struck first in the 12th inning, and it would count as the winning run as the Illini could not answer in the bottom half of the inning.

The bats were unable to capitalize, as the team was 0-for-13 when hitting with runners on base. However, head coach Dan Hartleb still saw some positives from the loss.

“I thought the first three guys did a great job of throwing multiple pitches for strikes,” Hartleb said. “They really commanded the ball in and out.”

As for the Gophers’ midweek matchup, it was canceled, which allowed their players to get extra rest for their trip to Champaign. Minnesota has struggled mightily this year, especially at the plate, which could bode well for the hosts that hope to carry the momentum from their excellence on Tuesday.

Looking at the statistics for both lineups, it is clear which side provides the bigger threat at the plate. Despite the struggles they faced on Tuesday, Illinois still boasts an on-base plus slugging percentage of .838 with a batting average of .272. Minnesota, on the other hand, has an OPS of .709 with a batting average of .249.

The pitching numbers are the opposite, as it’s the Gophers who just barely have a lower earned run average. The Gophers’ team ERA is 5.39, while the Illini pitching staff has an ERA of 6.01.

However, it has become a constant point for the Illini that they need to get it together offensively and defensively. Including this series, the Illini have just 17 games remaining in a season where they have struggled to get to the .500 mark. Only six of those games are at home, and two of the remaining series are against some of the best teams the Big Ten has to offer. If the Illini want any chance of getting far this season, they must show it now.

The first pitch of the series against Minnesota will be at 3 p.m. on Friday. Game two will start at the same time on Saturday, and the series finale will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

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