After starting out with a 1-2 opening weekend, the Illini will hope to improve on that record in South Carolina. This will be the seventh straight year, they will going to SC. This year, the Illini will be taking on three teams in two stadiums at the Brittain Resorts Invitational.
Starting out at Spring Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina, the boys will face Western Carolina and Coastal Carolina. On Sunday, they will move to nearby the awkwardly named TicketReturn.com Field in Myrtle Beach to take on West Virginia.
Pitching probables
Coach Hartleb and new pitching coach Mark Allen are shaking things up. Two pitchers will get their first career start this weekend.
Friday: This will be our first real look at Big Ten top prospect Jimmy Burnette. The junior is itchin’ to get his hard luck 13.50 ERA down to size after just one appearance.
Saturday: Ty Weber at 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA, had a formidable 2020 start and is up against normally tough Coastal Carolina.
Sunday: Cole Kirschsieper put forth a solid relief appearance last weekend. I think Coach Hartleb wants to see what he can do from inning one.
| Springs Brooks Stadium | Conway, SC |
| Friday, February 21 | 10am CT |  |
| Saturday, February 22 | 2pm CT |  |
| TicketReturn.com Field | Myrtle Beach, SC |
| Sunday, February 23 | 9am CT |  |
Check out Western Carolina. They completed a four game against Chicago State with a run differential of 33-12.
It’s very unusual to see Coastal Carolina without a number next to their name. They are usually highly ranked. West Virginia on the other hand, does manage to eke in the NCBWA polls just barely at #35. The good news? Illinois has an 8-3 record against the Mountaineers.
Random Ramblings
Baseball in Champaign is not too far away! You know you’re getting close to the home opener when FightingIllini.com posts the promotion schedule. Lots fun, food and even drink. Illinois will again allow alcohol sales with a Craft Beer night on May 8th.
Illinois Baseball’s first home game will be on March 3rd against Chicago State. Yes, the same Chicago State that got swept by Illinois’ Friday opponent.
Congratulations to former Illini player and coach Kyle Hudson! It was announced this week that he has moved up as a coach to the big leagues! He is now an staff assistant to Terry Francona’s Cleveland Indians. He will focus on outfield instruction and positioning during games.
And yes, that is Kyle and his lovely locks in his playing days. Those photos were taken during the 2007 Big Ten Baseball Tournament. Very proud of K-Hud! Congrats!
Go Illini!