After a good showing in South Carolina last weekend, Illinois (3-3) will be put to the test. They will be facing three nationally ranked teams in Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and UCLA at the Frisco Classic.
Wow, the Frisco Classic is a big deal. Check out the tourney’s website. Billed as #BestOutsideofOmaha, it has been held since 2017 and it seems to attract the best in college baseball.
Besides, it is being played at a stadium with a cool name like “RoughRiders Ballpark” (not looking at you, TicketReturn.com Field). That’s the home of the Texas Rangers’ Double-A affiliate Frisco RoughRiders.
Frisco Classic
| RoughRiders Ballpark | Frisco, TX | |
| Friday, February 28 | 7pm CT |  8-0 | |
| Saturday, February 29 | 2pm CT |  5-2 | |
| Sunday, March 1 | 11am CT |  7-0 | |
| Live Stats |
Make no mistake. This will not be easy. With three opponents who have a combined record of 20-2, Illinois will need to work for their wins.
On the plus side, there is little downside to playing three top teams in the nation. Illinois needs to do their usual best and make a good showing and the rest will fall into place.
For what it’s worth, the national polls all don’t agree. Collegiate Baseball has UCLA at #1 but D1 Baseball places them at #10. The pundits are wildly guessing at this point in the season.
Random Ramblings
Illinois Baseball announced that four games will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Two of those will be at Illinois Field.
- Friday, March 27 at Purdue (3 p.m. CT)
- Sunday, April 5 vs. Michigan (11 a.m. CT)
- Friday April 10 vs. Minnesota (4 p.m. CT)
- Sunday, April 19 at Ohio State (11 a.m. CT)
Fun Stats
Three pitchers have a sub-2.00 ERAs.
- Ty Weber (0.82 ERA in 11 IP)
- Ty Rybarczyk (0.96 ERA in 9 1/3 IP)
- Cole Kirschsieper (1.86 ERA in 9 2/3 IP)
In six starts, Branden Comia (that’s the guy you see up top) is hitting .412 leading the Illini. He also has four walks and 3 HBP which adds to his OBP.
That prompted the PR folks at Illinois Baseball to post this…
Branden is hot! He hit the game winning homer on Sunday against West Virginia.
Home opener is around the corner!
The Illini will be coming home to Illinois Field next week! They will be taking on Chicago State on Tuesday March 3 at 4pm.
Just in time, the program made this announcement…
Bring yer pooch!
Go get em, Illini!