| Probable Starting Pitchers |
| Day |
Illinois (19-22, 8-10) |
Michigan State (28-13, 9-5) |
| Fri. 6 p.m. CT |
RHP Riley Gowens (2-2, 5.47) |
LHP Joseph Dzierwa (5-2, 4.89) |
| Sat. 3 p.m. CT |
RHP Jack Wenninger (5-3, 4.25) |
RHP Nolan Higgins (4-1, 4.93) |
| Sun. 1 p.m. CT |
TBA |
LHP Nick Powers (5-0, 3.92) |
PREVIEW
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Fighting Illini baseball (19-22, 8-10) returns to Big Ten action with a weekend series against Michigan State (28-13, 9-5) at Illinois Field. Friday's series opener is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. CT first pitch, with 3:00 p.m. CT and 1:00 p.m. CT first pitches to follow on Saturday and Sunday. All three ballgames will be streamed on B1G+.
Illinois heads into the series coming off a narrow 5-4 midweek, walk-off defeat at Indiana State. Julius Sanchez fired the first quality start of his Illini career (7.0 IP, 2 ER) and Cam McDonald, Ryan Moerman and Branden Comia all his solo home runs in the ballgame.
The Orange and Blue are scheduled to send right-hander Riley Gowens to the mound in Friday's series opener with reigning NCBWA and Big Ten Co-Pitcher of the week Jack Wenninger slated to get the ball Saturday. Sunday's starter for the series finale is to be announced.
On deck for the weekend is a full slate of promotions, with the 13th annual Bleacher Bum BBQ taking place on Friday alongside the Gear for Good equipment drive. Honor and Serve Day is Saturday and the series wraps up with Mom's day on Sunday. More information on these promotions can be found here.
SERIES HISTORY
vs. Michigan State
• Record: 85-72 (H: 46-30, A: 32-37, N: 7-5)
• Last: L, 5-3 (3/27/22 at Champaign)
• Illinois won two of three last season
• IIlini have won five of last six
• First series in Champaign since 2017
NOTES
• Illinois welcomes Michigan State to Illinois Field for its final Big Ten series in Champaign this season.
» The Illini took two of three games last season against the Spartans...first two games were played in East Lansing...series finale was moved to Illinois Field due to weather.
» First three-game series against Michigan State in Champaign since 2017.
» Illini have won five of the last six games overall.
• Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb earned win No. 519 on April 2 against Michigan, passing Lee Eilbracht for the most in program history...currently has 525 career wins.
» Hartleb reached 500 career wins on May 7, 2022, with a win over Miami (0H).
• Illinois is coming off a midweek defeat to Indiana State on Tuesday in Terre Haute.
» Longest game of the season (13 inn.)
» Walked off for the third time this season.
» Illinois is now 2-6 in one-run games this season, including 1-5 in such contests on the road.
• RHP Julius Sanchez tossed the first quality start of his collegiate career, allowing two runs on seven hits in a career-high 7.0 innings of work.
» Induced three double plays.
• OF Ryan Moerman went 2-for-6 with a run, home run and an RBI against the Sycamores.
» Has two multi-hit games in his last three.
» Has three home runs in his last three games.
» Has recorded an RBI in three-straight games...seven total in last three...nine in last five...leads the team with 39 RBI.
• OF Cam McDonald went 1-for-6 with a run, home run and an RBI against Indiana State.
» Is one hit away from being tied for 10th in hits in program history.
• RHP Jack Wenninger tossed the first complete game since Ty Weber on April 15, 2018, vs. Rutgers on Saturday at Ohio State.
» Wenninger was named Big Ten Co-Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season.
» Was also named NCBWA Co-Pitcher of the Week...first national award of his career...first Illini player to earn national accolades since 2019...is the sixth Illini overall to earn national honors from the NCBWA.
» Faced just one batter over the minimum...retired final 21 batters to end the game.
» First Illinois pitcher since Kevin Duchene on May 10, 2013, vs. Penn State, to throw a complete-game shutout allowing two hits or fewer...first Illinois pitcher since Doug Hayes on April 29, 2016, to throw a complete-game shutout.
» First Illinois pitcher since Doug Hayes on March 26, 2016, vs. Penn State to throw a complete-game one- hitter.
» First Illinois pitcher to throw a complete-game, one-hit, shutout since at least 2002.
» Tossed his second-straight quality start and third overall this season.
• 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
Illinois heads to Piscataway, N.J., to take on Rutgers for its final Big Ten series of the season. First pitch of Friday's series opener is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. CT.
