| #2 Illinois (43-6-1, 19-1 Big Ten) vs. Nebraska (34-19, 9-12 Big Ten) |
|---|
| Game 51 | Thursday, May 14, 2015 | 6 p.m. |
| Game 52 | Friday, May 15, 2015 | 6 p.m. (BTN) |
| Game 53 | Saturday, May 16, 2015 | 2 p.m. (BTN) |
| Location | Champaign, Ill. | Illinois Field |
| Mobile Live Stats | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Gametracker | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Television | Big Ten Network (Matt Shepard and Scott Pose) on Friday and Saturday |
| Live Video ($) | Thursday Stream | Friday on BTN | Saturday on BTN |
| Radio | WDWS AM 1400 (Dave Loane and Jeff Huth) |
| Live Audio ($) | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Game Notes | Illinois | Nebraska |
| Thursday Starters | ILL:Jr. LHP Kevin Duchene (9-1, 0.95 ERA)
NEB: Sr. RHP Chance Sinclair (6-6, 2.78 ERA) |
| Friday Starters | ILL: r-Sr. RHP Drasen Johnson (8-2, 2.20 ERA)
NEB: Sr. LHP Kyle Kubat (4-4, 2.62 ERA) |
| Saturday Starters | ILL: Sr. RHP John Kravetz (4-0, 3.76 ERA)
NEB: So. RHP Derek Burkamper (5-3, 3.84 ERA) |
| Series History | Series tied 6-6 |
| Last Season | Nebraska won series in Lincoln, 2-1 |
| Last Meeting | Nebraska won 7-4 (10) (5/17/2014) |
| Streak | Lost 1 |
| Interviews | Coach Hartleb | Pat McInerney |
| Social Media | @IlliniBaseball  Â |Â #Illini | @IlliniBaseball  | Facebook  | YouTube  |
Quick Hits
Illinois is off to its best start in school history with a 43-6-1 record. The Illini's 43 wins are tied for third on the program's all-time list. The school record for victories is 49 in 1982.
Illinois boasts the No. 1 winning percentage (0.870) in NCAA Division I Baseball and has the fewest losses (6). The Illini are second in the nation with 43 wins.
UI has won a program-record 18 straight Big Ten tilts and sit in first place atop the conference standings at 19-1, marking Illinois' most wins during a 24-game Big Ten season, which began in 2009. The school record for Big Ten victories in a 32-game season is 20 in 2005.
Illinois' magic number to win the Big Ten Championship is two. Iowa is in second place at 18-3. The Illini have clinched a Top 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
Illinois is on a school-record 24-game winning streak, which is the longest active winning streak in the country and tied with Texas A&M for the longest streak in 2015.
The NCAA record winning streak of 34 is owned by Texas (1977) and Florida Atlantic (1999). The longest winning streak by a Big Ten team is 26 by Nebraska (1983).
Illinois has outscored its opponents 200-84 during its 24-game winning streak. The Illini boast a .314 average and 2.71 ERA during that span. UI has overcome a deficit in 15 of the games and has 21 total comeback wins on the year.
UI's 14-game home winning streak is tied for the longest active streak in the nation. The Illini also boast the longest active road winning streak (10) and best road record (17-2-1) in the nation.
Illinois is ranked No. 2 in this week's Collegiate Baseball poll, marking the highest ranking in program history. It is the fifth straight week the Illini are ranked in the Top 10.
UI is a consensus Top 5 team in every poll this week, checking in at No. 3 by Perfect Game, No. 4 by Baseball America and No. 5 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, on D1Baseball.com, and by the NCBWA.
UI sits in the Top 5 in the nation in four pitching categories: No. 3 in walks allowed per nine innings (2.03) and WHIP (1.10) and No. 5 in ERA (2.48) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.67).
The Illini also rank fourth in the country with 3.2 runs allowed per game and a +3.7 scoring margin.
UI is second in the Big Ten with 45 home runs, while senior David Kerian is the top B1G player with 12 homers. UI leads the conference with 780 total bases.
Illinois, which has racked up four Big Ten Player of the Week awards and four Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors this year, has totaled a program-record eight Big Ten weekly awards which leads the conference in 2015. The previous UI season-high was seven in 2009.
Series History with Nebraska
Illinois and Nebraska have split their 12 all-time meetings 6-6. UI won the first three meetings in 1897, 1903 and 1905 in Champaign. Since joining the Big Ten in 2012, the Huskers have won the series with the Illini each of the past three seasons. NU took two out of three in 2012 in Lincoln, in 2013 in Champaign and last season in Lincoln.
Last Time Out
Illinois equaled Texas A&M for the longest winning streak in the nation in 2015 by sweeping Rutgers on its way to a 24-game winning streak. The Illini took both games of the doubleheader with a 5-4 game one win and 6-2 game two victory. UI overcame a 9-5 deficit to win a 28-13 slugfest in the series finale on Sunday, including two grand slams as part of the seventh-highest run total in school history.
Senior Day on Saturday
The following 11 seniors will be recognized on the field before Saturday's series finale with Nebraska. It will mark the largest Senior Day ceremony under 10th-year head coach Dan Hartleb.
#32 Josh Ferry (2012-15)
#3 Casey Fletcher (2014-15)
#35 Drasen Johnson (2011-15)
#12 David Kerian (2012-15)
#23 John Kravetz (2012-15)
#40 Will Krug (2012-15)
#16 Rob McDonnell (2011-15)
#31 Anthony Milazzo (2012-15)
#43 Trevor Murphy (2014-15)
#4 Kelly Norris-Jones (2011-15)
#7 Reid Roper (2011-15)
Promotions at Illinois Field
Promotions planned for the Illinois-Nebraska series.
Thursday, May 14 - 6 p.m.
Country Day
Friday, May 15 - 6 p.m.
Spring Cleaning Day: The marketing department will clean out the marketing closet and give out Illinois memorabilia from years past.
Olive Garden will sample Dulcinis (little desserts) for the first 250 fans.
Saturday, May 16 - 2 p.m.
Senior Day
County Market will distribute a hot dog and chips to fans while supplies last.
School-Record Winning Streak
By winning its last 24 games, the 2015 Fighting Illini set the single-season and overall winning streak program record. The previous best single-season streak was 16 in 1959 and 1989, while the previous longest winning streak across seasons was 19 games spanning 1909-11. Below is a list of the top-five single-season streaks:
1. 24 games 2015 (March 30-present)
2. 16 games 1989 (March 3-April 1)
16 games 1959 (March 28-May 2)
4. 15 games 1903 (April 27-June 1)
5. 14 games 1911 (April 17-May 23)
14 games 1910 (March 25-May 28)
Stats Behind the Streak
Senior David Kerian is hitting a team-high .400 with six home runs and 26 RBI during the 24-game winning streak. Jason Goldstein (.389) also has six homers and a team-high 29 RBI during the streak, while the Illini have hit 25 home runs over the past 24 games. Casey Fletcher (.366), Ryan Nagle (.349) and Adam Walton (.333) are all hitting over .300 during it.
Home Sweet Home
The Orange and Blue have won 14 consecutive games at Illinois Field and are 20-2 at home this season, which has equaled the most wins in a season at Illinois Field. The Illini have three home games remaining, which would tie the most games played (25) at Illinois Field in a season from 1998 (went 20-5 at home).
Illini Magic Number = 2
Illinois (19-1) is a game and a half ahead of second-place Iowa (18-3) in the Big Ten standings. The Orange and Blue have already assured themselves of a Top 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Illinois' magic number to clinch the Big Ten regular season championship is two. The Illini, who are seeking their 30th conference title all-time and first since 2011, control their own destiny. The Hawkeyes travel to 12th-place Rutgers and will play earlier in the day prior to each Illinois game. UI could clinch with the following scenarios:
1. Two wins over Nebraska
2. One win over Nebraska and one loss by Iowa
3. Two losses by Iowa
Illini Eye Best Big Ten Record
The Big Ten switched to a 24-game conference schedule in 2009. Over the past six seasons with that format, the 2014 Indiana Hoosiers posted the top winning percentage with a 21-3 (.875) record. The 2015 Fighting Illini boast a 19-1 (.950) record heading into the final weekend.
Eight teams have finished the Big Ten regular season undefeated, with Ohio State (6-0) being the last in 1966. Illinois is seeking the best non-undefeated winning percentage in Big Ten history.
Best UI Record after 50 Games
Illinois is off to its best start in school history with a 43-6-1 record after 50 games. Below are the top-four records at this point in the season and the overall record at the end of that year.
1. 43-6-1 2015
2. 36-14 1989 (Finished 42-16)
36-14 1985 (Finished 46-21)
4. 35-15 1982 (Finished 49-23)
T-3rd Most UI Wins in a Season
Through 50 games, Illinois has tied the third-most wins in program history. Below is a list of the winningest seasons in school history, as the Illini have now exceeded 40 wins seven times. Illinois, which boasts 10 all-time NCAA Tournament appearances, reached a regional in four of those years.
1. 49-23 1982
2. 46-21 1985
3. 43-6-1 2015
43-21 1990 (South II Regional)
5. 42-21 1998 (South I Regional)
42-16 1989 (Northeast Regional)
7. 41-23 2000 (Clemson Regional)
Hartleb No. 3 in UI History
University of Illinois 10th-year head coach Dan Hartleb has coached in 546 games as an Illini and currently ranks third in school history with 319 wins. He earned his 300th career win in a 17-2 rout of Northwestern on April 5 and moved past George Huff with career win No. 315 in a 6-5 comeback victory at Ohio State on May 2. The top-four winningest coaches among the 10 all-time coaches at Illinois are listed below:
1. Lee Eilbracht 518-395-6 (27 seasons: 1952-1978)
2. Itch Jones 474-373-1 (15 seasons: 1991-2005)
3. Dan Hartleb 319-226-1 (10 seasons: 2006-present)
4. George Huff 314-97-4 (23 seasons: 1896-1919)
Jay on Final Golden Spikes Award Watch List
Fighting Illini baseball junior Tyler Jay was named to the final USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award watch list. The Illini closer is one of 30 players on the list recognizing potential candidates for the award given to the top amateur baseball player in the nation.
Jay leads the nation in WHIP at 0.62 and ranks second in the country with a 0.70 ERA while boasting a 5-1 record as the closer. He also has 10 saves (2nd in Big Ten), giving him 20 for his career, which is third-most in school history and 28th among active players in the NCAA.
The Lemont, Illinois, native has 22 scoreless appearances out of 24 total to go along with 57 strikeouts and four walks (14.25-to-1 ratio), which ranks second in the nation. He's limiting opponents to a .164 average in 51.1 innings pitched.
His 1.59 career ERA is the best in Illinois history and fifth among active NCAA players, while he boasts the fourth-fewest hits allowed per nine innings (5.32) for his career.
Duchene, Jay on National Pitcher of the Year Watch List
Junior closer Tyler Jay (0.70) and starter Kevin Duchene (0.95) rank second and fourth, respectively, in the NCAA in ERA. Both Illini hurlers were named to the National College Baseball Hall of Fame initial watch list for the Pitcher of the Year award.
Illini Pitchers in Big Ten Stats
Four Illinois pitchers rank in the Big Ten's Top 6 ERA leaders. Tyler Jay leads the conference with a 0.70 ERA followed by Kevin Duchene (0.95) in second, Drasen Johnson (2.20) in fifth and Rob McDonnell (2.35) in sixth.
Four Illinois pitchers rank in the Big Ten's Top 11 opposing batting average leaders. Tyler Jay (.164) leads the league followed by Rob McDonnell (.213) in fifth, Kevin Duchene (.225) in eighth and Drasen Johnson (.238) in 11th.
Illini Starting Rotation Stats
Illinois' weekend rotation - Kevin Duchene, Drasen Johnson and John Kravetz - is 21-3 with a combined 2.20 ERA (58 ER in 237 innings pitched). They also have a combined 178 strikeouts compared to 33 walks for a 5.4 ratio.
Duchene's Dominant on Friday
Junior Kevin Duchene sits fourth in the nation with a 0.95 ERA, sixth with a 9.50 strikeout-to-walk-ratio and ninth with 0.95 walks allowed per nine innings. He has fanned eight or more five times, including a season-high 10 punch outs against Northwestern. His 9-1 record and 76 strikeouts are tops on the team and second in the Big Ten. Duchene's 1.87 career ERA ranks second in school history, while his 22-3 (.880) career record is the fourth-best winning percentage all-time by a UI pitcher.
Johnson Eats Up Innings
Redshirt-senior Drasen Johnson has been a workhorse for the Illini starting staff after moving into the rotation last season. Johnson is 8-2 with a 2.20 ERA and leads the Big Ten with 94 innings pitched over 13 starts. He has Illinois' only two complete games this year. The Chillicothe, Illinois, native made every start last season and led the Illini with 96 innings pitched. He spent his first two seasons in the bullpen, throwing 39 innings in 2012 and 29.1 innings in 2013. He is 10th in school history with 258.1 innings pitched.
Career Numbers for Kravetz
Senior John Kravetz is 23-7 with 323.1 innings pitched in his career. He ranks eighth on the Illinois all-time wins list and third in career innings pitched. Mark Dressen (1989-92) and current pitching coach Drew Dickinson (1999-02) hold the school record with 30 career wins, while Kevin Johnson owns the top spot with 334 IP. Among active players in NCAA Division I Baseball, Kravetz ranks 10th in games started (54), 18th in innings pitched (323.1) and 17th in wins (23).
Double-Digit Hitting Streaks
Four Illini have turned in career-best double-digit hitting streaks this season: David Kerian (18), Ryan Nagle (15), Jason Goldstein (15) and Casey Fletcher (12). Kerian is currently on a 15-game hitting streak, marking the fifth time an Illini has reached double figures this year.
Kerian, Illini Dig the Long Ball
Illinois has more than doubled its home run total from last season (21 HR in 53 games) and is second in the Big Ten with 45 home runs (26th in NCAA). Senior David Kerian leads the Big Ten with a career-high 12 bombs (34th in NCAA), which is the most by an Illini since Willie Argo hit 12 in 2009, and with a .638 slugging percentage.
Reid Roper and Jason Goldstein each hit eight homers (T-6th Big Ten) followed by Pat McInerney and Matthew James each with four, Adam Walton and Casey Fletcher each with three, Ryan Nagle with two and Ryne Roper with one.
Goldstein Notches Second B1G Player of the Week
For the third week in a row, an Illini earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors, announced the conference office on May 12. Junior catcher Jason Goldstein led Illinois to its sixth straight Big Ten series sweep and a 24-game winning streak by hitting .583 (7-for-12) with two home runs and nine RBI in three wins over Rutgers.
In Sunday's series finale, Goldstein's second career grand slam propelled the Illini to their biggest comeback win on the year. Trailing 9-5 in the fourth inning, he tied it up 9-9 with one swing of the bat, as the Illini went on to win 28-13. His career-best 5-for-5 day helped the Illini score 28 runs, which is tied for the seventh-most single-game runs in program history. During the doubleheader sweep on Saturday, he turned in five RBI on the day with three in game one and a go-ahead two-run homer in the first inning of game two.
5 of Top 10 Crowds All-Time
Illinois is averaging 1,391 fans at Illinois Field this season, which is ranked 49th in the NCAA and on pace to break the school record (1,270 average in 1990). Five of the Top 10 biggest crowds in Illinois Field history (opened in 1988) have occurred this season.
