Illinois (15-19, 2-7) has another opportunity to get back in shape this weekend with a three-game competition against Michigan State (12-20, 2-8). Neither team has had a very favorable season thus far. With only a handful of Big Ten matchups left, they’re in the home stretch of finishing strong. Here are some game-by-game predictions for the results of this weekend’s series at Eichelberger Field.
Game 1: Michigan State wins by scoring runs early
The Spartans are coming off two losses against the Toledo Rockets (10-22). The defeats likely left a bad taste in their mouth. In both games, Michigan State didn’t score until the third inning. However, on Friday, I predict the Spartans will come out hungry for a win. They’ll get the bats swinging to get on the board in the first two innings.
Junior third baseman Kaelin Cash is on a seven-game hitting streak for Michigan State and leads the team in batting average (0.367). She’s got 22 RBI on the season and could easily increase this stat with a solid outing on Friday. If the Spartans secure a solid lead early on, they’ll end game one with a victory.
Game 2: Illinois bounces back with powerful home runs
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The Illini are slowly creeping up the Big Ten boards with 28 home runs. Because of this, I believe they’ll get their total to at least 30 dingers after this weekend. Senior left fielder Stevie Meade and freshman catcher/utility player Keirys Click were the two Illini to launch home runs last weekend against Northwestern (20-12-1, 9-1-0). My guess is that on Saturday, it will be another veteran and rookie duo to slam it over the wall to bring in extra runs.
For the senior, it could very well be Meade hitting another home run against Michigan State. If not Meade, I predict senior catcher Paige Berkmeyer will release some fire in her swing and hit a multi-run homer. She’s batting 0.265 this season and hasn’t hit a home run since March 11. It’s her time to get something brewing and swing for the fences to secure an Illini victory.
As for the younger Illini, my other thought is that freshman first baseman Ella Cushing will get the job done. When she swings, she connects with the ball hard and creates a different force at the plate. On top of that, Michigan State has the worst ERA in the conference, so Illinois is bound to get some offensive action this weekend. If the Illini can score at least two home runs — one of them bringing multiple runners home — then they’ll even the series at 1-1 on Saturday.
Game 3: Illinois pitchers end strong, clinch series victory
The Illini need a conference series win under their belt, and this weekend is the perfect chance to execute that. The series finale kicks off at noon on Sunday, and I anticipate it’ll be an all-around effort for the Illinois win. Extra recognition given to the pitchers for their needed contributions.
Illinois sits at No. 14 in the Big Ten with a 5.04 ERA, but if things go as planned on Saturday, the women on the mound will only allow one or two runs from Michigan State. They’ll hit their targets well, they’ll get batters to strike out swinging and they’ll lean on their offense for support.
Michigan State is beatable for sure; Illinois just needs to remain focused and stay patient at the plate. A series victory won’t get the Illini to 0.500, but it’ll push them in the right direction before they hit the road again next weekend.
@tess_eken
