There was plenty of orange and blue in St. Louis Friday night as the Cardinals hosted Illini Night at Busch Stadium. Illinois men's basketball coach John Groce threw out the first pitch (it was right down the middle), an Illini pep rally was held - complete with a Marching Illini performance, a Groce autograph session and an orange and blue Cardinal hat give away - and over 1,000 Fighting Illini faithful enjoyed the Cardinals battle the Tigers.

Tonight is Illini Night! B-ball Coach Groce will throw a ceremonial pitch & #CardsTheme ticket-holders get this hat. pic.twitter.com/TCioFEf7w3

-- St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 15, 2015

#Illini Night at Busch Stadium! @Cardinals pic.twitter.com/E1w315ZdDP

-- Illinois Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) May 15, 2015

Right down the pipe! ??

#Illini #STLCards @Cardinals @JohnGroce @IlliniHoops pic.twitter.com/k6YajNBKUL

-- Illinois Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) May 16, 2015

Groce grooves one down the middle to kick-off #Illini Night with the @Cardinals! #STLCards pic.twitter.com/TJuym7hsi9

-- Illinois Basketball (@IlliniHoops) May 15, 2015

Coach Groce doing the media rounds at Busch before #Illini Night with the @Cardinals. | @FSMidwest | @kmoxnews pic.twitter.com/Yrsnpkxqa2

-- Illinois Basketball (@IlliniHoops) May 15, 2015