Illinois (8-7, 0-3) has had a roller coaster of a season. It started the 2026 campaign 1-4 after losing its opening series and home opener. Illinois climbed up, winning six of its next seven games, including a victory over then-No. 6 Coastal Carolina (10-6).
However, once the cart reaches the top, the inevitable comes: the drop. No. 25 USC (17-0, 3-0) swept Illinois in its Big Ten opener, leaving Illinois scoreless in two of the three contests. The weekend dropped the Illini all the way to the bottom of the conference standings.
They have a chance to recoup some of that lost positioning. Minnesota (14-3, 0-0) comes to town Friday for its first taste of Big Ten action.
Golden Gophers come to Champaign
Minnesota has one of the better offenses and pitching staffs in the Big Ten so far this season. The Golden Gophers are top-five in batting average, RBIs, slugging percentage and home runs in the conference.
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They’re led by senior outfielder Easton Richter. He leads the team in OPS, hits, home runs and RBIs. Richter is 9 for 22 with nine RBIs and three home runs in his last five games. Illinois’ pitching staff will have a tough time keeping him quiet.
As far as pitching, Minnesota boasts the third-best ERA in the conference with a 3.32. Illinois is coming off a series against the best pitching staff in the Big Ten. It’ll be another difficult series for the offense, but the Illini were able to get to the Trojans’ pitchers in the third game.
They can build off that small success. Freshman first baseman AJ Putty had another good performance, going 2 for 3 at the plate with an RBI and two walks. He’s been a staple in the offense, and if he can stay hot, Illinois’ offense stands to perform much better.
Comeback kids
Minnesota has struck first in 11 of its 16 games. Unfortunately for the Golden Gophers, the Illini haven’t been fazed when down early. In six of their eight wins, the Illini have been down at some point in the game.
“This group is very resilient,” said head coach Dan Hartleb. “They don’t panic. It’s a mature group … We have played from behind a number of games, and guys have responded well in those situations.”
Of course, it isn’t the best habit to get into. It’d be much better to get up early in games, and Hartleb agrees. However, the Illini’s continued refusal to quit when they’re down shows how tough this team can be.
Illinois will certainly need that tough mindset this weekend. Minnesota’s offense will come out swinging, and Illinois’ pitching staff needs to be ready.
The Illini got strong performances from junior lefty Regan Hall and senior righty Ben Plumley recently. Both have started four games, and both have given up three or fewer earned runs in their last two starts.
However, the bullpen has been even stronger. Senior right-hander Mitch Dye, senior southpaw Reed Gannon and junior righty Ryan Ohm have all appeared five times this season. All three have sub-three ERAs.
Return of the Rem
Junior right-handed pitcher Kyle Remington, who transferred from Minnesota this offseason, has been fantastic in his four appearances. He pitched 10.1 innings in his first three games and gave up just two hits.
He had a tougher go of it against USC, giving up three earned runs in 2.2 innings pitched. However, Remington has still been one of the best pitchers for Illinois this season.
The right-hander was named to the watch list for the College Baseball Foundation National Pitcher of the Year Award. Remington joins 141 other pitchers on the watch list early in the season.
The Illini will need him to show out against his former school. If Remington and the rest of the pitching staff can control Minnesota, Illinois has a much better chance at earning its first — and maybe second and third — conference wins.
@ben_some16
