The news that Coach Eric Snider has been hired by the Louisville Cardinals as an assistant coach is very bittersweet indeed. Coach Snider has been with the Illini since 1999 and has been head coach Dan Hartleb’s right-hand man since he took over. He’s a smart baseball man and quite…
Coach Dan Hartleb is going places this summer. Specifically, he’s heading to North Carolina to assist at the National Training Complex for the 2014 USA Baseball 14U National Team Development Program. Hartleb was named to the coaching staff for the program and will help Eric Kibler at the complex in…
Is Kevin Duchene slated for Game 1 of the Big Ten Tournament? It’s probably fitting that the two second place teams who entered this weekend would have one of closest series of the Big Ten weekend. Both teams have had won their share of three game sweeps but I had…
David Kerian is welcomed back to the dugout by starting pitcher Drasen Johnson after scoring the winning run As some of the Illinois baseball “oldtimers” who have shown up for this weekend’s alumni festivities can attest, there something about a Illinois-Michigan State series. Adam Walton slaps a triple to drive…
Shortstop Adam Walton brings a 10-game hitting streak into this weekend After two Big Ten weekends, Illinois Baseball is off to a 5-1 conference start (17-11 overall). That by the way, is the best Big Ten start under Coach Dan Hartleb’s reign. Illinois hopes to continue their good luck against…
While every series with friendly rival Southern Illinois University is a little special, this weekend’s three-game set down in Carbondale holds a special meaning for both teams. They will be breaking in the brand spanking new Itchy Jones Stadium, the new home for the SIU Salukis baseball team. Itchy Jones…
Kevin Duchene gets a well-deserved Pitcher of the Week honor Things just keep getting better for the Illini baseball team after their 4-0 sweep in Gainesville last weekend. First, take a look at the latest NCBWA polls. Not only is Illinois starting to get votes now but one of their…
Just a few more fun photos I took at last night’s Fighting Illini Baseball Hot Stove Banquet. Photo op before the event. From left to right, Dugout Club President Jon Swenson, Chris Robinson and Coach Dan Hartleb. Former Illini Chris Robinson and Kyle Hudson greet each other at the…
It was a snowy Saturday afternoon but that didn’t keep throngs of Illinois Baseball fans from packing the Conference Center at the I Hotel in Champaign for the 2014 Fighting Illini Hot Stove Banquet. The room was full of excitement and fun. Former Illini catcher Chris Robinson was the keynote…
Davis Hendrickson drove home the sole run in today’s loss In an elimination game against Minnesota at the Big Ten Tournament, Illinois (34-18) couldn’t hold on to a slim lead and lost 3-1 and will have to say goodbye to Minneapolis. Ryan Castellanos was a hard luck loser as he…