Next Game:
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Game #32-35 |
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Record: 18-13 Big 10 6-6 |
vs University of Minnesota |
at Siebert Field, Minneapolis, MN |
It’s going to be a big series up north this weekend. The Illini are one game ahead of the Golden Gophers in the Big Ten standings. Illinois is working on getting out of a five-game losing streak. The last time they won was their 17-0 walloping of Illinois College. Minnesota is having a rough time of it too. They lost nine of their last twelve.
An interesting note: Phil Haig is set start Game 3. It looks like Mike Stankiewicz is the odd man out. Haig has looked real good in relief though he got yanked after one inning in the EIU fiasco.
If you’re interested in some good coverage of this weekend’s series from a Minnesota perspective, check out the TNABACG blog who covers the Golden Gophers baseball team among other Minnesota sports.
Illini Shorts: SS Brandon Wikoff is now leading the team in batting average, flirting with .400 (.398)… Kyle Hudson is second in the nation in stolen bases with 27. Only Jimmy Miles from Old Dominion has more with 29… Congrats to Ryan Hastings who is now a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.
I’m ready for a win… how about you?
The 411 on Minnesota:
| Opponent: | University of Minnesota |
| Nickname: | Golden Gophers |
| Conference: | Big Ten |
| Head Coach: | John Anderson (28th year) |
| Hometown: | Minneapolis, MN |
| Current Record: | 15-18 (5-7 Big Ten) |
| Baseball Program website: | Link |
| Players to watch: | Leadoff man Matt Nohelty leads the team with a .420 batting average, 30 runs and 17 steals. DH Jeff DeSmidt is right behind him hitting .402 and leads the team with 5 homers. |
| Team Fact: | The Golden Gophers have had their own problems with D-2 team. They just lost to University of Northern Iowa on Wednesday 9-8. |
Go Illini!!
Update: The weather has postponed tonight’s game in Minneapolis. The two teams will play doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday to make up for it.