| Probable Starting Pitchers |
| Day |
Illinois (18-18, 7-8) |
Bradley (12-23, 4-11) |
| Tue. 6:00 p.m. CT |
TBA |
TBA |
PREVIEW
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Fighting Illini baseball begins a five-game road trip with a midweek contest against Bradley on Tuesday, April 25. First pitch from Dozer Park is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT.
This is the second meeting between the programs this season, with the Illinois defeating the Braves, 6-4, at Illinois Field on March 21.
The starters for both teams are to be announced.
SERIES HISTORY
vs. Bradley
• Record: 45-23-1 (H: 24-12-1; A: 18-11; N: 3-0)
• Last: W, 6-4 (3/21/23 in Champaign, Ill.)
• Illini have won last four games in Peoria.
• The very first meeting ended in a 10-10 tie on 4/21/1927 in Champaign.
NOTES
• Illinois heads to Peoria for an in-state midweek showdown against Bradley at Dozer Field.
» The Illini won the matchup at Illinois Field on March 21 by a score of 6-4.
» Illinois has won four-straight in Peoria...Illinois has also won three-straight overall...looking for first season sweep since 2010.
• Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb earned win No. 519 on April 2 against Michigan, passing Lee Eilbracht for the most in program history.
» Hartleb reached 500 career wins on May 7, 2022, with a win over Miami (0H).
• Illinois won their first Big Ten series this past weekend with a sweep of Minnesota at Illinois Field.
» First series sweep of the season...was first of a Big Ten opponent since at Penn State from May 19-21, 2022...first sweep at Illinois Field since May 7-8, 2022, vs. Miami (OH).
» Earned first walk-off win of the season in Sunday's series finale via a two-run home run from Jacob Schroeder with two outs.
» The Illini are now 4-2 in two-run games and 2-4 in one-run contests.
» Have won three-straight games for the second time this season, matching a season-high.
• C Jacob Schroeder went 4-for-9 in the series with five runs, a double, three home runs, seven RBI, two walks and was hit by a pitch...reached base at a .583 clip and slugged 1.556.
» Hit two home runs in Sunday's series finale...second game this season going yard twice.
» First walk-off hit of his Illini career...first Illini with a walk-off hit since Justin Janas on May 15, 2022, vs. Nebraska...first walk-off home run since Zac Taylor on on May 10, 2019, vs. Purdue.
» Leads the team with 12 home runs in just 82 at-bats...also leads the team with 33 RBI...his six home runs in Big Ten play are tied for third most during conference play.
• INF Drake Westcott extended his hitting streak to five games...has gone 6-for-16 (.375) during that span with two home runs and three RBI.
» Ranks second on the team with 31 RBI...also ranks second on the team with 11 home runs.
• OF Ryan Moerman had multi-hit games in two of three against Minnesota.
» Led the team with a .545 (6-for-11) average in the series to go along with four runs and a walk.
» Is batting a team-high .375 (21-for-56) in Big Ten play...his 21 hits are tied for third-most in conference play.
• RHP Riley Gowens earned his second win of the season in his third quality start of the campaign on Friday.
» 6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 9 SO
» Second quality start in his last three outings.
» Has worked into the seventh in back-to-back games for the first time this season.
• RHP Jack Wenninger tossed his third quality start of the season in Sunday's series finale.
» Retired the first-10 batters that he faced to begin his start.
• Illinois has 22 returners and 14 newcomers on the 2023 roster.
» Eight newcomers are transfers: RHP Korey Bunselmeyer (Rend Lake), RHP TJ Constertina (St. Thomas), LHP John Lundgren (North Alabama), INF Coltin Quagliano (Illinois Central), C Jacob Schroeder (John A. Logan), OF Christian Smith (Vanderbilt), RHP Logan Tabeling (Wright State) and INF Drake Westcott (Louisville).
• The Illini return three all-Big Ten selections: Branden Comia (2nd), Cam McDonald (2nd) and Danny Doligale (3rd).
• Big Ten Preseason Honors: RHP Jack Crowder, RHP Riley Gowens, OF Cam McDonald.
• D1Baseball Big Ten top 2023 MLB Draft prospects: No. 23 RHP Jack Crowder
• D1Baseball top players:
» RHP Riley Gowens - SP No. 167
» INF Branden Comia - 3B No. 29
» OF Danny Doligale - OF No. 102
» OF Cam McDonald - OF No. 145
• Perfect Game Preseason Big Ten All-Conference: OF Cam McDonald.
• Perfect Game Big Ten top 2023 MLB Draft prospects: No. 24 Cam McDonald, No. 34 Branden Comia.
• Illinois' new $8-million, 26,000-square foot Susan and Clint Atkins Baseball Training Center opened in September 2022.
UP NEXT
The Illini will continue this road trip with a three-game series against Ohio State in Columbus. First pitch from Bill Davis Stadium for the series opener on Friday, April 28, is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT.
