Illinois travels to Iowa City this weekend for a road series against the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Hawks are having a successful season at 21-14 in the Big Ten but the Illini (16-18) are ripe for another big series.
In a change from previous conference policies, Big Ten baseball fans will be able to attend (at a fifty percent capacity of Iowa’s Duane Banks Field). Tickets must be purchased online ahead of time. No walk-up tickets will be issued or sold. I’m hoping some Illini fans are making the trip.
On the mound
You won’t see Cole Kirschsieper on this list. It looks like he is now being touted as the Illini’s closer. And why not? He’s got a 13+ inning scoreless streak most of that in relief.
With a stable role, Cole will be more productive in my opinion.
Coming off a fantastic performance, Andrew Hoffmann starts Friday night. Last weekend, he struck out 12 towards Illinois’ third shutout of 2021.
Nate Lavender hopes to pick up a W on Saturday and Riley Gowens takes the hill on Sunday.
| Iowa Hawkeyes | 21-14 |
| Duane Banks Field | Iowa City, Iowa |
| Friday, May 14 | 6:05pm CT Saturday, May 15 | 2:05pm CT Sunday, May 16 | 1:05pm CT |  |
Random Ramblings
Heads up! The Illini recruiters are not finished yet. FightingIllini.com has announced the program has added two more future Illini to the 2021 Signing Class. Both are right-handed hurlers.
Crayton Burnett RHP – St. Joseph, IL/St. Joseph Ogden
Ben Plumley RHP – Chicago, IL/Lane Tech College Prep
Burnett and Plumley join the rest of the 2021 Illini signing class, a total of ten prospects. Here is the full list…
2021 Illinois Baseball Signees
- C/3B Gavin Bennett Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville
- OF Jared Comia Saint John, Ind./Hanover Central
- UTL Holt Geltmaker Chillicothe, Ill./Illinois Valley Central
- C Camden Janik Wauconda, Ill./Wauconda
- INF Ryan Moerman Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township
- RHP Gavin Schmitt Bolingbrook, Ill./Plainfield East
- RHP Izaak Siefken Broomfield, Colo./Holy Family
- RHP Calvin Shepherd Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North
- RHP Crayton Burnett St. Joseph, Ill./St. Joseph Ogden
- RHP Ben Plumley Chicago, Ill./Lane Tech College Prep
Welcome Crayton and Ben and the rest of the 2021 signing class!
Illinois has had rough schedule in May. In the first three weekends of the month, the combined record of Illinois opponents (at the time they played) was 59-36. So far, Illinois has survived May going 3-4. Not too bad given the strength of these teams.
Time to even this out against Iowa!
Let’s go Illini!