| #3 Illinois (40-6-1, 16-1 Big Ten) vs. Rutgers (17-31-1, 5-13 Big Ten) |
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| Game 48 | Saturday, May 9, 2015 | 10 a.m. CT |
| Game 49 | Saturday, May 9, 2015 | 1 p.m. CT |
| Game 50 | Sunday, May 10 2015 | 11 a.m. CT |
| Location | Champaign, Ill. | Illinois Field |
| Mobile Live Stats | G1 Saturday | G2 Saturday | Sunday |
| Gametracker | G1 Saturday | G2 Saturday | Sunday |
| Live Video ($) | G1 Saturday Stream | G2 Saturday Stream | Sunday Stream |
| Radio | WDWS AM 1400 (Dave Loane and Jeff Huth) |
| Live Audio ($) | G1 Saturday | G2 Saturday | Sunday |
| Game Notes | Illinois | Rutgers |
| Saturday G1 Starters | ILL: Jr. LHP Kevin Duchene (8-1, 0.78 ERA)
RU: Jr. LHP Howie Brey (2-6, 5.79 ERA) |
| Saturday G2 Starters | ILL: r-Sr. RHP Drasen Johnson (7-2, 2.28 ERA)
RU: Jr. LHP Mark McCoy (2-7, 5.79 ERA) |
| Sunday Starters | ILL: Sr. RHP John Kravetz (4-0, 3.02 ERA)
RU: So. RHP Gaby Rosa (1-5, 6.28 ERA) |
| Series History | Illinois leads 1-0 |
| Last Meeting | Illinois won 4-0 (3/20/1989) |
| Streak | Won 1 |
| Interviews | Coach Hartleb | David Kerian | Kevin Duchene |
| Social Media | @IlliniBaseball  Â |Â #Illini | @IlliniBaseball  | Facebook  | YouTube  |
Quick Hits
Illinois is on a school-record 21-game winning streak, which is the longest active winning streak in the country.
It is the second-longest streak in the NCAA this year behind Texas A&M (24). The NCAA record winning streak of 34 is owned by Texas (1977) and Florida Atlantic (1999).
Illinois has outscored its opponents 161-65 during its 21-game winning streak. The Illini boast a .297 average and 2.35 ERA during that span. UI has overcome a deficit in 13 of the games and has 19 total comeback wins on the year.
The Illini also boast the longest road winning streak (10) and best road record (17-2-1) in the nation. Their 11-game home winning streak is tied for third-longest in the nation.
Illinois is off to its best start in school history with a 40-6-1 record. The previous best UI mark after 47 games was 35-12 in 1989 under Augie Garrido.
It is the fastest an Illinois team has ever reached 40 wins, which rank seventh on the school's all-time list. The school record for victories is 49 in 1982.
UI has won a program-record 15 straight Big Ten tilts and sit in first place atop the conference standings at 16-1, marking Illinois' best Big Ten record through 17 games in school history.
Illinois' magic number to win the Big Ten Championship is five.
Illinois is ranked No. 3 in this week's Collegiate Baseball poll, marking the highest ranking in program history. It is the fourth straight week the Illini are ranked in the Top 10.
UI also is ranked No. 4 by Perfect Game, No. 6 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll and on D1Baseball.com, and No. 7 by Baseball America and the NCBWA.
Illinois' five Big Ten series sweeps broke the school record of four from last season. It is the first time an Illini team has ever had five consecutive sweeps.
Illinois boasts the No. 1 winning percentage (0.862) in NCAA Division I Baseball and has the fewest losses (6). The Illini are tied for second in the nation with 40 wins.
UI sits in the Top 4 in the nation in four pitching categories: No. 3 in WHIP (1.08) and walks allowed per nine innings (1.95) and No. 4 in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.87) and ERA (2.31).
The Illini also rank second in the country with 3.0 runs allowed per game and seventh with a +3.5 scoring margin.
UI is second in the Big Ten with 39 home runs, while senior David Kerian is the top B1G player with 11 homers. UI leads the conference with 701 total bases.
Series History with Rutgers
Illinois will play its first-ever series against Rutgers this weekend. The Illini won 4-0 in the only previous meeting between the two teams on March 20, 1989 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Honor & Serve Day on Sunday
The No. 3 Fighting Illini baseball team will host its fourth annual Honor and Serve Day at Illinois Field this Sunday, May 10, when it plays Rutgers at 11 a.m. The event is designed to honor University of Illinois student veterans and all of America's heroes, and to serve the Champaign-Urbana community.
The University of Illinois navy ROTC will present the colors when Michelle Smith sings the national anthem. The Fighting Illini Dugout Club donated special camouflage jerseys, which will be worn by the players and auctioned off during the game, with all proceeds from the auction going to Crisis Nursery.
The following promotions are planned for the Illinois-Rutgers series. Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com and @IlliniBaseball on Twitter for updates if rain affects game times this weekend.
Saturday, May 9 - 3 p.m.
Super Hero Day: Come dressed as your favorite super hero to win Illinois Baseball prizes
Sunday, May 10 - 11 a.m.
Honor and Serve Day
Postgame wiffle ball
Last Time Out
Illinois extended the nation's longest active winning streak to 21 straight and earned its fifth consecutive Big Ten series sweep at No. 23 Ohio State. The Illini cruised to an 8-1 victory on Friday behind a gem from Kevin Duchene followed by a pair of comeback victories, overcoming 2-0 deficits on both Saturday (6-5) and Sunday (6-2)
School-Record Winning Streak
By winning its last 21 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.
Stats Behind the Streak
Senior David Kerian is hitting a team-high .390 with five home runs and 21 RBI during the 21-game winning streak. Jason Goldstein (.359) is second with four homers during the streak, while the Illini have hit 19 as a team. Casey Fletcher (.382), Ryan Nagle (.316) and Adam Walton (.313) are all hitting over .300 during it.
Home Sweet Home
The Orange and Blue have won 11 consecutive games at Illinois Field and are 17-2 at home this season. The Illini have six more home games scheduled, which would equal the most games played (25) at Illinois Field in a season from 1998.
Illini Magic Number = 5
Illinois (16-1) is a game and a half ahead of second-place Iowa (15-3) in the Big Ten standings. Illinois' magic number to clinch the Big Ten regular season championship is five. The Illini, who are seeking their 30th conference title all-time and first since 2011, can win the crown this weekend with a sweep of Rutgers and two losses by Iowa. UI also could clinch with two wins over Rutgers and three losses by Iowa. The Hawkeyes host ninth-place Minnesota for a three-game series in Iowa City. The Orange and Blue have already clinched a top-five seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
7th-Most UI Wins in a Season
Through 47 games, Illinois already holds the seventh-most wins in program history. Below is a list of the winningest seasons in school history. 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. 43-21 1990 (South II Regional)
4. 42-21 1998 (South I Regional)
42-16 1989 (Northeast Regional)
6. 41-23 2000 (Clemson Regional)
7. 40-6-1 2015
8. 37-22 1996
Hartleb No. 3 in UI History
University of Illinois 10th-year head coach Dan Hartleb has coached in 543 games as an Illini and currently ranks third in school history with 316 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 at Illinois are listed below:
1. Lee Eilbracht 518-395-6 (27 seasons: 1952-78)
2. Itch Jones 474-373-1 (15 seasons: 1991-05)
3. Dan Hartleb 316-226-1 (10 seasons: 2006-present)
4. George Huff 314-97-4 (23 seasons: 1896-19)
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 ranks second in the country with a 0.73 ERA and boasts a 5-1 record as the closer. He also has nine saves (2nd in Big Ten), giving him 19 for his career, which is third-most in school history and 28th among active players in the NCAA.
The Lemont, Illinois, native has 21 scoreless appearances out of 23 total to go along with 54 strikeouts and four walks (13.50-to-1 ratio), which ranks third in the nation. He is limiting opponents to a .159 average in 49.1 innings pitched.
His 1.62 career ERA is the best in Illinois history and fourth among active NCAA players, while he boasts the second-fewest hits allowed per nine innings (5.25) for his career.
Duchene, Jay on National Pitcher of the Year Watch List
Junior closer Tyler Jay (0.73) and starter Kevin Duchene (0.78) rank second and third, 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. Jay also leads the nation in WHIP at 0.61.
Illini Pitchers in Big Ten Stats
Five Illinois pitchers rank in the Big Ten's Top 15 ERA leaders. Tyler Jay leads the conference with a 0.73 ERA followed by Kevin Duchene (0.78) in second, Rob McDonnell (1.93) in fifth, Drasen Johnson (2.28) in sixth and John Kravetz (3.02) in 15th.
Four Illinois pitchers rank in the Big Ten's Top 15 opposing batting average leaders. Tyler Jay (.159) leads the league followed by Rob McDonnell (.209) in third, Kevin Duchene (.226) in eighth and Drasen Johnson (.241) in 14th.
Illini Starting Rotation Stats
Illinois' weekend rotation - Kevin Duchene, Drasen Johnson and John Kravetz - is 19-3 with a combined 2.03 ERA (50 ER in 221.2 innings pitched). They also have a combined 172 strikeouts compared to 29 walks for a 5.9 ratio.
Duchene's Dominant on Friday
Junior Kevin Duchene sits third in the nation with a 0.78 ERA, fourth with a 12.33 strikeout-to-walk-ratio and seventh with 0.78 walks allowed per nine innings. He has fanned eight or more five times, including a season-high 10 punch outs against Northwestern. His 8-1 record is tops on the team and third in the Big Ten, while his 74 strikeouts sit second in the conference. Duchene's 1.85 career ERA ranks second in school history, while his 21-3 (.870) 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 7-2 with a 2.28 ERA and leads the Big Ten with 87 innings pitched over 12 starts. He has the teams 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 12th in school history with 251.1 innings pitched.
Career Numbers for Kravetz
Senior John Kravetz is 23-7 with 322 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 (53), 13th in innings pitched (322) and 15th 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 12-game hitting streak, marking the fifth time an Illini has reached double figures this year.
Kerian, Illini Dig the Long Ball
Illinois has blown by its home run total from last season (21 HR in 53 games) and is second in the Big Ten with 39 home runs. Senior David Kerian leads the Big Ten with a career-high 11 bombs (36th in NCAA), which is the most by an Illini since Willie Argo hit 12 in 2009, and with a .621 slugging percentage.
Reid Roper and Jason Goldstein are next with six homers followed by Pat McInerney and Matthew James with four dingers, Adam Walton and Casey Fletcher each with three and Ryne Roper and Ryan Nagle with one.
Dual Threat Reid Roper Named Academic All-District
Redshirt-senior Reid Roper was named Capital One first-team Academic All-District. The Harrisburg, Illinois, native is hitting .298 as the starting second baseman while also tallying a save in four appearances out of the bullpen. He leads the team with 38 RBI (T-5th in Big Ten), four triples (T-5th in Big Ten) this year and is tied for eighth in school history with 11 career saves.
Goldstein on Johnny Bench Award Watch List
Junior Jason Goldstein was added to the official watch list for the 2015 Johnny Bench Award presented by BaseballSavings.com, announced the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. Goldstein, who is hitting .281 with six home runs and 32 RBI, calls games for the Illini pitching staff, which ranks in the top four in the nation in four major categories. Goldstein is tied for third in the Big Ten with 13 caught stealing and tied for sixth with six homers and a team-high 15 doubles.
Walton on Wallace Watch List
Redshirt-sophomore Adam Walton was named to the initial watch list for the 2015 Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award. Walton is hitting .307 with 39 runs (10th in Big Ten), three home runs and 27 RBI to go along with 141 assists (T-6th in Big Ten) in the field.
Kerian B1G Player of the Week
For the second straight week, an Illini senior was named Big Ten Player of the Week, announced the conference office on May 4. First baseman David Kerian earned his first career weekly honor by hitting .600 (9-for-15) and leading Illinois to a school-record 21-game winning streak with a perfect 4-0 week.
Kerian recorded multiple hits in every game and scored in all four contests, totaling six runs, five RBI and a homer. He hit a team-high .636 (7-for-11) with five runs and three RBI in the weekend sweep at No. 23 Ohio State following a 2-for-4 performance with two RBI and a run in a midweek win at Southern Illinois.
In the series finale in Columbus, Kerian belted his Big Ten-leading 11th home run and later connected on a go-ahead two-run single as part of a 3-for-4 day with three RBI. Kerian is the third Illini to earn the conference's weekly award this season, joining senior Casey Fletcher (April 27) and junior Jason Goldstein (April 7). Three laurels rank as the most by an Illinois team since 2011.
Perfect Month of April (16-0), Midweek (9-0) Records
In its final midweek game of the year, Illinois completed a perfect month and extended its school-record winning streak to 18 games with a 7-5 victory over Southern Illinois. The Illini finished 16-0 in April and notched an unblemished 9-0 mark in midweek tilts. The Orange and Blue tallied their seven runs and 10 of their 11 hits in the first five innings. On his birthday, starter Rob McDonnell improved to 6-1 with six strikeouts over six solid innings.
