CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Illinois baseball team began official team practice Friday at the Irwin Indoor Practice Facility in preparation for the 141st season in program history. All NCAA baseball teams were allowed to start Friday, three weeks before the start of games.

The Illini are predicted to finish in fourth place of the Big Ten by Perfect Game and are led by returning All-American closer Garrett Acton. Acton highlights a strong core of returners after posting a Big Ten record 19 saves in 2019. SS Branden Comia, IF/OF Cam McDonald, 1B Kellen Sarver, and C Jacob Campbell also return after starting most of 2019 and RHP Ty Weber gives the Illini a veteran starting pitcher.

Illinois finished 36-21 last season, including a 15-9 record and third place finish in the Big Ten. The Illini advanced to the NCAA Regional for the fourth time in the last nine years, helping Dan Hartleb earn D1Baseball's Big Ten Coach of the Decade award. 

Illinois opens its season Feb. 14 against Milwaukee at Wake Forest. The Big Ten opener is March 27 at Purdue. 

First official practice. It's baseball season.#Illini ???? pic.twitter.com/E8VpRwBbzN

— Illinois Baseball (@IlliniBaseball) January 24, 2020

The first official @IlliniBaseball practice of the season is underway, a lot of new faces for the #Illini, who are coming off their first NCAA tournament appearance in four years. Hear from the team on @WCIA3sports at 6 pic.twitter.com/RosPzuungc

— Bret Beherns (@WCIA3Bret) January 24, 2020