May 22, 2007

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - There has been a lot going on around Illinois Baseball in the last week. As you probably already know, we earned a trip to the Big Ten Tournament with an unbelievable comeback victory over Michigan State on Sunday. So now we're up in Ann Arbor getting ready to start the conference tournament tomorrow against Iowa. We lost three games to Iowa earlier this season and now would be a great time to get a win when it really matters.

We also said goodbye to nine graduating seniors on Sunday. These guys have meant a lot to the program both on and off the field, and I have enjoyed getting to know all of them over the last two years. These seniors have taught the younger guys a lot this year, so their contributions to the program will continue even after the season ends.

Freshman Brandon Wikoff shared the infield this season with seniors Shawn Roof, Ryan Hastings and Mike Rohde. He said that they helped him learn just how important it is to know the opposing hitters and their weaknesses so that he can be as prepared defensively as he can. After being around these seniors on a day-to-day basis, Wikoff also said that he's realized that he can trust himself as a player and knows that he has the ability to play at this level.

I know that none of the seniors want this week to be the end of their Illinois Baseball careers. The Big Ten Tournament always is an exciting time, so be sure to turn on GameTracker or AM-1400 on the radio in Champaign (or live on fightingillini.com!) and follow along with all of the action. We play Iowa at 11:05 a.m. central time tomorrow, which will determine who and what time we play on Thursday.

Go Illini!
Michael Schroeder