This weekend, Illinois baseball is hosting the Michigan Wolverines for three games at Illinois Field.
In Illinois baseball’s first home weekend of 2023 against Big Ten Michigan, the home team hopes to make it a memorable one for Coach Dan Hartleb. With his next win, Coach Hartleb will pass Lee Eilbracht as the winningest baseball coach in Illinois history. Both now have 518 career wins for Illinois.
Illinois (11-10) is looking to win for other reasons, too. They have lost three of their last four games including their midweek game in which they lost this year’s bragging rights to Missouri. Michigan comes into this weekend’s series with a 13-11 and are celebrating a 3-0 sweep of Penn State on their home turf.
Let’s get that win early, boys!
On the mound
The coaching staff seems to have settled on this rotation for the time being.
Friday: Riley Gowens (1-1, 5.64 ERA)
Saturday: Julius Sanchez (0-3, 7.15 ERA)
Sunday: Jack Wenninger (3-1, 4.56 ERA)
Big Jack earned his third win of the season last weekend on a solid outing striking out six in as many innings. Only four Big Ten pitcher have more wins.
Sanchez lost the game on Saturday but only gave up three hits and two earned runs on five plus innings. I’m looking forward to seeing him pitch this Saturday.
A look at the weekend
A quick heads up: This weekend, weather may be an issue in Champaign so keep an eye on the Illinois baseball website or Twitter account for any potential gametime changes.
 Michigan Wolverines |
| 13-11 (3-0 Big Ten) |
| Friday 6pm CT Saturday 1pm CT Sunday 1:30am CT |
| Live video | Live audio | Live stats | @IlliniBaseball |
Random Ramblings
Leftfielder Ryan Moerman has consistently hit for Illinois since being put in the starting role this season. As a result, he now leads the team in hitting with a .317 batting average.
With Moerman’s 2 for 3, HR performance against Missouri, he raised his rbi total to 24. That total leads the team and is 8th in the conference.
As I write this, former Illini Michael Massey is starting in his first opening day MLB game for the Kansas City Royals. Go get ‘em, Michael!
See you at the ballpark!