| Probable Starting Pitchers |
| Day |
Illinois |
Northwestern |
| Fri. 6 p.m. CT |
LHP Kirschsieper
|
RHP Sullivan
|
| Sat. 3 p.m. CT |
RHP Crowder
|
RHP Farinelli
|
| Sun. 1 p.m. CT |
RHP Gowens
|
TBA
|
PREVIEW
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Illinois baseball team is set to host in-state rival Northwestern this weekend for a three game series at Illinois Field. The Illini have won seven of the last eight series against Northwestern and 14 of the last 17 games between the two teams since 2013.
Illinois (16-14, 7-2) is riding a three-game win streak after defeating Illinoi State on Tuesday night at Illinois Field and taking the final two games of last weekend's three-game series at Iowa. The Illini are currently second in the Big Ten at 7-2, their best start to conference play since 2015.
All three games will be streamed on B1G+. Scott Beatty has the radio call on the Fighting Illini Sports Network.
SERIES HISTORY
vs. Northwestern
• Record: 175-90 (H: 93-34; A: 81-55; N: 1-1)
• Last: L, 5-12 (3/28/21 at Illinois Field)
• Illinois has won 14 of 17 since 2013
• Illinois has won 19 of 23 since 2011
• Illinois has won seven of the last eight series vs. NU
NOTES
• Illinois hosts Northwestern for a three-game series at Illinois Field this weekend. The Illini are 175-90 all-time against the Wildcats.
• Illinois has won 14 of 17 games since 2013 and seven of the last eight series against Northwestern.
• Cam McDonald has reached base safely in every game this season (30 game on-base streak).
• Branden Comia has hit safely in 14 consecutive games.
• Illinois is averaging 6.66 runs per game in 29 games this season.
» Illinois has scored 10+ runs nine times, going 8-1 in those games.
• Illinois has recorded 10+ hits in 17 of 30 (57%) games this season.
• Illinois has scored six or more runs in every win this season.
• Illinois is 6-1 at home this season heading into this weekend.
• Illinois is 7-2 in the Big Ten, the best start to conference play since 2015.
• Branden Comia leads the team in hits (40), extra base hits (16), OPS (.942), and SLG (.532).
• Cam McDonald leads the Illini in batting average (.333) and RBI (30).
• Justin Janas leads the Illini in OBP (.453) and HBP (11). His 11 HBP ranks third in the Big Ten.
• Danny Doligale leads the Illini in doubles (11).
• Cole Kirschsieper leads the team in ERA (2.85), IP (47.1), strikeouts (50), and wins (4).
• Illinois has won all three Big Ten series this season (at MSU, vs Purdue, at Iowa).
• Illinois swept Purdue in a three-game series at Illinois Field (4/1-4/3).
» The Illini have won the last six games against Purdue dating back to 2021.
• Illinois won the first Big Ten series of sthe season at Michigan State, taking two of three games from the Spartans (3/25-3/27).
• Illinois has scored 13 runs twice this season (vs. Butler on 3/15, vs. Wheaton on 3/23).
• Illinois won their first series of the season at Western Kentucky (3/11-3/13), taking two of three games against the Hilltoppers.
• Junior catcher Jacob Campbell began the season on a nine-game hit streak (eleven-game hit streak dating back to 5/29/2021).
• Sophomore LHP Payton Hutchings earned his first career start and first career win on February 20 against Kansas.
• D1Baseball Big Ten top 2022 MLB Draft prospects: No. 5 LHP Cole Kirschsieper, No. 17 RHP Riley Gowens, No. 20 SS Branden Comia, No. 27 1B Justin Janas.
• Baseball America Big Ten top 2022 MLB Draft prospects: No. 4 LHP Cole Kirschsieper.
• Perfect Game Preseason All-Big Ten team: 1B Justin Janas and C/OF Jacob Campbell.
• Perfect Game Big Ten top 2022 MLB Draft prospects: No. 4 LHP Cole Kirschsieper, No. 22 C Jacob Campbell, No. 24 INF Branden Comia.
• Illinois has 24 returners and 13 newcomers on the 2022 roster.
» Four newcomers are transfers: OF Tyler Thompson (Carson-Newman), RHP Johnny Czeslawski (North Iowa Area C.C.), RHP Tommy Green (Mercer), and RHP Jack Wenninger (Murray State)
• Illinois' new $8-million, 26,000-square foot Susan and Clint Atkins Baseball Training Center is set to open in 2022.
