Play Ball! A Big East/Big Ten Challenge weekend preview

  Casey McMurray led the Illini in hitting (.348) and homeruns (6) in 2010 The Illinois baseball players have been practicing for a few weeks now this year but this weekend, it’s for real.  On Friday, the Big East/Big Ten Challenge tournament commences.  For Illinois’ part, they will be taking…

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2011 Illinois baseball schedule released

Illinois has finally released the schedule for the 2011 baseball season. Some interesting highlights: – Season opens with Big Ten/Big East Challenge on February 18th (no crazy February home games scheduled this year) – On March 11-13, Illinois will participate in the new Metrodome Tournament in Minnesota.  Illinois will conclude…

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Big East/Big Ten Challenge schedule officially announced

The tournament which is rapidly being considered the beginning of Illinois baseball season has been set in stone for 2011. The schedule of the 2011 Big East/Big Ten Challenge was released today.  Illinois will take on Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and West Virginia on the weekend of February 18-20.  The Big East/Big…

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Illini end Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge with loss to St John’s

Well, the Illini gave St John’s a good fight.  It was pretty much the story of two games within one.  The first one where the Illini had them strung up in the first five innings, winning 4-0.  It was indeed the 3-run fifth inning when Illinois did most of the…

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Illini gored by the USF Bulls 12-3 at day 2 of Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge

…and then reality set in.  ok, we weren’t going to win EVERY game this season.  But the first loss of the year is sometimes a little harder to take.  After beating 3-0 Notre Dame Friday night, Illinois couldn’t come up with the offense and certainly not the pitching to defeat…

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Illini quick out of the starting gate: defeat Notre Dame 11-1

That’s the way to start the season! Consider that the Illinois baseball team went into the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge cold having missed the first weekend of play due to weather while their opponents, Notre Dame, got a three game head start.  Consider also that same Notre Dame team won…

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Illini Weekend Preview: Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge

Ok, this time, it’s for real.  No chance of a winter weather advisory down in Clearwater, Florida so Play Ball! The Illinois baseball team are probably on their way right now to Florida in order to participate in the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge (I once asked someone in the know…

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