Ohio State and Purdue came out winners in the first day of the Big Ten Baseball Tournament. The Buckeyes eked out a win over Minnesota 5-3 and Purdue came back to score seven runs and won 7-2 over Penn State.
That sets the schedule for Thursday. In the ‘loser’s bracket’, Minnesota will face off against Penn State at noon Michigan State will be facing off at 11am CT. At 2:30, Michigan State will take on the high seed, Purdue. Then around 6pm, Illinois will square off against Ohio State.
It will be a tough game, no doubt. Not that Ohio State is that much better than Purdue. It’s that for the majority of the Tournament games, you’ll see 200 people in the stands maybe. But when Ohio State is playing in this ‘neutral’ park, the stands will be packed. Never underestimate the power of the tenth man.
But the Illini have factors that swing things to their favor. They won’t be going with their #1 starter. Again, the advantages of having the bye reveals itself.
Courtesy of Thomas Lindauer via Twitter, here is a shot of Huntington Park today. I’m hoping they avoid the nasty weather we just got here in Urbana.
Get some some rest tonight, boys. No partying till after you win it all.