Illini of the season: brief baseball campaign highlights top performers
By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer
March 26, 2020
Although the Illinois baseball team’s season was brief this year, it was sprinkled with a handful of impressive performances by players who may play key roles in next year’s squad. The 8-5 campaign will be forever stuck in limbo, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take a look at a few outstanding ...
MLB draft uncertain amidst collegiate, professional cancellations
By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer
March 20, 2020
With organized baseball currently on hold essentially everywhere, amateur players trying to take their next steps into professional careers will have to stand by and contemplate their situations as MLB’s first-year player draft may not even happen. With 17 new players on the squad in 2020, Illino...
Illini face uncertainty following COVID-19 cancellations
By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer
March 18, 2020
In the wake of quite possibly one of the greatest years for Illinois sports in recent memory, the widespread effects of the COVID-19 outbreak hit fans and teams close to home last week when the Big Ten announced the indefinite suspension of all sports competitions. Just like the other players, coaches...
Illini go 3-2 on weekend behind Comia, Acton
By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer
March 10, 2020
The Illini fought their way to a third-straight winning weekend after grabbing two wins against the Elon Phoenix in North Carolina. Senior Ty Weber toed the rubber in the opener on Friday and showed signs of mortality after throwing 73 pitches in just three innings. Sophomore Ty Rybarczyk was brought in ...
Acton breaks all-time program save record
By Rich Eberwein, Staff writer
March 9, 2020
History was made on Sunday in North Carolina as senior Garrett Acton locked down his 25th save in an Illini uniform to break the University of Illinois’ career saves record. In the rubber game of a best of three series against the Elon Phoenix, Acton was brought in to hold an 8-7 lead after a gra...
Illinois trumps Chicago State in program’s earliest home opener
By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer
March 4, 2020
Illinois hosted the Chicago State Cougars in the program's earliest home opener in history under the lights at Illinois Field Tuesday evening. Illinois battled the Cougars for an 11-8 win in front of a crowd of 906 while conditions were windy and cool. With the victory, the Illini improve to 6-4 and hav...
Illinois takes on Wisconsin in first round of Big Ten Tournament
By Nithin Reddy, Staff Writer
March 3, 2020
The Illinois women’s basketball team heads to Indianapolis, Indiana, to compete in the Big Ten Tournament Wednesday. The Illini, once again, had a rough stint in Big Ten play, racking up a conference record of 2-16 including six-straight losses to end the season. In spite of the struggles, the Ill...
Illini host Chicago State Courgars in earliest-ever home opener Tuesday
By Meghan Rest, Sports Editor
March 3, 2020
It's been 296 days since the Illini baseball team set foot on Illinois Field. But, that number rolls back to zero Tuesday when Illinois (5-4) hosts Chicago State (2-10) in its earliest home, season opener in program history. The Illini are set to make their debut in Champaign following three weeks...
Illinois tops No. 13 Texas A&M, No. 23 Oklahoma State
By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer
March 2, 2020
Illinois baseball had a successful outing at the Frisco Classic, finishing second among all teams, after going 2-1 on the weekend against all ranked teams. The team beat No. 13 Texas A&M and No. 23 Oklahoma State on Friday and Saturday, respectively. On Sunday, the team lost to No.1 University o...
Illinois prepares for trio of ranked foes at Frisco Classic
By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer
February 27, 2020
With a two-game winning streak and a 3-3 record under its belts, the Illinois baseball team will face three ranked teams in the Frisco Classic this weekend. The games will be played in Frisco, Texas, and will pit Illinois against No. 18 Texas A&M on Friday evening, No. 22 Oklahoma State Saturday a...
Illinois picks up wins over Coastal Carolina, West Virginia
By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer
February 24, 2020
Illinois won two games and lost one over the weekend as they traveled to South Carolina. The team lost Friday against West Carolina, 9-2, but picked up wins against Coastal Carolina (5-2) on Saturday and West Virginia (2-1) on Sunday. The weekend competition moved the team to a 3-3 record. Junior left-handed p...
Hartleb stays positive despite slow start
By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer
February 20, 2020
After a less-than-satisfactory 1-2 start to the season, the Illinois baseball team will look to pick up momentum and snap its two-game losing streak against Western Carolina in Conway, South Carolina, on Friday at 10 a.m. Over the three-game road series, Illinois will take on Coastal Carolina on Saturday a...
