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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

Rich Eberwein

Junior Ryan Hampe runs the bases during the Orange and Blue series on Nov. 2. Hampe and the Illini look to turn things around against the Golden Gophers this weekend.

Baseball team completes intra-squad series as winter break approaches

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Nov 19, 2020
Illinois pitching coach Mark Allen poses for a professional headshot on Oct. 8, 2019. Allen passed away on Feb. 6 after a battle with cancer.

Mark Allen reflects on year one with Illini

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Oct 7, 2020
Illinois baseball Head Coach Dan Hartleb speaks with the umpires before a game.

Dan Hartleb eager to coach son for first time

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Oct 4, 2020
Illinois former pitching coach Drew Dickinson makes a visit to the mound during the game against Milwaukee at the Illinois Field on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

Hartleb looks to keep team on track for spring

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Sep 25, 2020
Illinois pitcher Garrett Acton delivers the pitch during the game against Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament at TD Ameritrade Park on May 23, 2019. Due to COVID-19, the Illini baseball team will not participate in fall exhibition games.

Illini baseball reaches new heights over summer break

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Aug 24, 2020
Illinois pitcher Joey Gerber (35) delivers the pitch during the game against Rutgers at Illinois Field on Friday, April 13, 2018

Former Illini Joey Gerber makes MLB debut

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Aug 6, 2020
Junior Kevin Duchene winds up for a pitch during competition in the 2015 season.

Starting pitchers exceptional for Illini in recent years

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Jul 29, 2020
Chicago Cubs center fielder Ian Happ wears a mask in the dugout on July 20, 2020 during an exhibition game at Guaranteed Rate Park.

Opening day has finally arrived

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Jul 24, 2020
Junior Aidan Maldonado throws a pitch during competition.

Baseball America ranks Maldonado as top 100 draft prospect

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Jul 21, 2020
Senior Garrett Acton winds up for a pitch during competition.

Illini bullpen impresses in 2010s

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Jul 17, 2020
Junior Kyle Hudson jogs back to the dugout during the game against Illinois College on Wednesday, April 9,, 2008.

Three stand out with best offensive performances in Illini baseball history

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Jul 16, 2020
Senior Joey Gerber throws a pitch during competition.

Another college baseball program falls victim to virus

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Jul 9, 2020
Senior Joey Gerber throws a pitch during competition.

Former Illini closer Joey Gerber named to Seattle Mariners’ 60-man roster

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Jul 2, 2020
Senior Garrett Acton winds up for a pitch during competition.

Garrett Acton heads to Bay Area

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Jun 30, 2020
A baseball with the MLB logo sits at Citizens Bank Park before a game between the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies on June 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

MLB finally gets 2020 plan in motion

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Jun 25, 2020
Senior Ty Weber steps into a pitch during competition.

Former Illini pitcher Ty Weber signs with San Francisco Giants as undrafted free agent

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Jun 17, 2020
Freshman Pitcher Cole Kirschsieper throws a pitch during competition.

Illini baseball Kirscheiper receives freshman All-American honor

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Jun 11, 2020
A baseball with the MLB logo sits at Citizens Bank Park before a game between the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies on June 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Two Division 1 universities cut baseball programs

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Jun 3, 2020
A baseball with the MLB logo sits at Citizens Bank Park before a game between the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies on June 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

MLB proposes universal designated hitter, 82-game season

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • May 16, 2020
Dodger Stadium sits empty in Los Angeles on March 25, 2020.

Countless unknowns surround the MLB season

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • May 2, 2020
Pitcher Tyler Jay follows through on a throw as Infielder Ryne Roper readies himself for the play during the match against Michigan State on March 30, 2015.

Team of the century: 2015 Illini baseball reign supreme

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Apr 25, 2020
Illinois pitcher Cyrillo Watson delivers the pitch during the exhibition game against Indiana State at Illinois Field on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The Illini tied 5-5.

Watson hopes to follow brother to MLB draft

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Apr 18, 2020
Marquee Sports Network's Jim Deshaies (left) and Len Kasper at a Chicago Cubs spring training game at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. on Saturday, Feb. 22.

Potential changes are made for shortened MLB season

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Apr 16, 2020
Members of the Fighting Illini Baseball Team complete warmups before practice on Feb. 10, 2019

Two deals shake baseball world

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Apr 6, 2020
Illinois shortstop Branden Comia (20) snags a ground ball during the game against Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament at TD Ameritrade Park on, May 22, 2019. The Illini lost 6-2.

Illini of the season: brief baseball campaign highlights top performers

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Mar 26, 2020
Ty Weber pitches the ball during the Illinois’ game against Coastal Carolina at Conway S.C. on Feb. 22.

MLB draft uncertain amidst collegiate, professional cancellations

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Mar 20, 2020
Illinois starting pitcher Ty Weber (7) delivers the pitch during game one of the doubleheader against Maryland at Illinois Field on Saturday, April 6, 2019. The Illini won 5-1.

Illini face uncertainty following COVID-19 cancellations

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Mar 18, 2020
Senior pitcher Garrett Acton prepares to fire a pitch during a match against Oklahoma State on Feb. 29, 2020.

Illini go 3-2 on weekend behind Comia, Acton

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Mar 10, 2020
Illinois closing senior pitcher Garrett Acton de the pitch during the game against Michigan at TD Ameritrade Park on May 23. Acton broke Illinois’ record for career saves with 25 during the Illini’s game against the Elon Phoenix on Sunday.

Acton breaks all-time program save record

By Rich Eberwein, Staff writer • Mar 9, 2020
Sophomore right hand pitcher Caleb Larson throws the ball during the Illinois’ season opener against Chicago State at Illinois field on Tuesday. The Illini won 11-8.

Illinois trumps Chicago State in program’s earliest home opener

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Mar 4, 2020
Senior pitcher Garrett Acton celebrates with sophomore catcher Jacob Campbell after defeating Oklahoma State 4-2 at Frisco, Texas, on Saturday. Illinois picked up wins against Texas A&M and Oklahoma State and fell to the University of California, Los Angeles this weekend.

Illinois tops No. 13 Texas A&M, No. 23 Oklahoma State

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Mar 2, 2020

Illinois prepares for trio of ranked foes at Frisco Classic

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Feb 27, 2020
Ty Weber pitches the ball during the Illinois’ game against Coastal Carolina at Conway S.C. on Feb. 22.

Illinois picks up wins over Coastal Carolina, West Virginia

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Feb 24, 2020
Illinois’ dugout on March 1 vs. Indiana State. The Illini won 5-2.

Hartleb stays positive despite slow start

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Feb 20, 2020
Illinois shortstop Branden Comia (20) snags a ground ball during the game against Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament at TD Ameritrade Park on, May 22, 2019. The Illini lost 6-2.

Illini baseball opens season with even split in North Carolina

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Feb 17, 2020
Senior outfielder Kiana Sherlund celebrates a double against Purdue on May 5. Illinois competes against Notre Dame and North Carolina next weekend in Raleigh, N.C.

Illini pick up early season wins

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Feb 10, 2020
Taylor Edwards speaks to the UIUC baseball coach at the pitchers mound at Eichelberger Field on April 3.

Illini softball starts season with NFCA Leadoff Classic

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Feb 6, 2020
Freshman pitcher Sydney Sickels pitches during Illinois’ game against Purdue on May 5 at Eichelberger Field. Illinois is set to open their season early February with several new players.

Illini seek new contributors as spring season approaches

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Jan 30, 2020
The exterior of the J.G. Demirjian Indoor Golf Facility on St Marys Rd on Dec. 3

Men’s golf returns from busy break in Florida contest

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Jan 22, 2020
The exterior of the J.G. Demirjian Indoor Golf Facility on St Marys Rd on Dec. 3

Demirjian Golf Practice Facility gives Illini year-round practice opportunities

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Dec 5, 2019
Jerri Ji golfs at theTavistock Collegiate Invitational in Florida on Tuesday.

Illinois finishes 11th at Tavistock Collegiate

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Oct 25, 2019
Varun Chopra golfs at the Olympia Field Country Club/Fighting Illini Invitational at Olympia Fields on Sept. 16.

Illini place seventh at Crooked Sticks Collegiate

By Rich Eberwein, Staff Writer • Oct 18, 2019
Noah Gillard smiles during the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational over the weekend of Sept. 20. The Illini look to improve this fall.

Illinois looks forward to Crooked Stick Intercollegiate

By Rich Eberwein, Contributing Writer • Oct 14, 2019
Senior Bryan Baumgarten watches his approach shot at the Fighting Illini Invitational.

Illinois finishes ninth at Maui Jim, fifth in Fighting Illini Invitational

By Rich Eberwein and Jonah Perez • Oct 3, 2019