Illini Begin Homestand with Midweek Tilt vs. Western Illinois
March 10, 2025 | Baseball
Preview
| Illinois vs. Western Illinois | |
|---|---|
| When | March 11 |
| Where | Champaign, Ill. (Illinois Field) |
| Video | B1G+ |
| Radio | WDWS 1400-AM, 93.9 FM // FightingIllini.com |
| Live Stats | FightingIllini.com |
| Notes | Illinois | Western Illinois |
| Shop | Online Store | Auctions |
| Social Media | @IlliniBaseball  | @IlliniBaseball  | Facebook  | YouTube  |
PREVIEW
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois baseball begins a season-long five-game homestand with a midweek showdown vs. in-state foe Western Illinois on Tuesday at Illinois Field. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT.
The Orange and Blue went 1-2 last weekend vs. Michigan at Holman Stadium in Vero Beach, Fla., to open their Big Ten slate. The Illini dropped contests on Friday and Saturday before earning a win in Sunday's series finale.
Admission to Illinois Field is free all season long. Fans attending the game Tuesday should refer to the gameday guide for parking information and updated Illinois Field policies.
SERIES HISTORY
vs. Western Illinois
- Record: 31-9 (H: 25-3, A: 3-4, N: 3-2)
- Last: W, 12-1 (4/23/24 at Champaign, Ill.)
- Illini have won 15-straight in series, all in Champaign
- Illinois last loss at home in series was April 11, 1991
NOTES
ILLINI BEGIN FIVE-GAME HOMESTAND VS. WIU
Illinois baseball begins a season-long five-game homestand with a midweek contest vs. Western Illinois at Illinois Field.
The Orange and Blue began their Big Ten title defense by dropping the opening series of conference play to Michigan over the weekend, falling in two of three games.
George Khouri and Nick Kane will call the game on B1G+.
Scott Beatty will call the action for the Illini on the Busey Bank Illini Sports Network (WDWS 1400-AM/93.9FM).
Streaming, audio, and stats links are also available at FightingIllini.com.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Western Illinois comes into the contest with a 4-7 record, taking two of three games at Murray State over the weekend.
OF Tyler Large is leading the Leathernecks at the plate through 11 games this season, slashing .370/.442/.609 to go along with 16 runs scored, four doubles, two triples, one home run and 10 RBI.
RHP Frederick Romano is leading the staff's qualified arms, going 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA (4 ER/12.0 IP) with 10 strikeouts over two games/starts.
WIU went 13-37 last season, including an 8-19 mark in Ohio Valley play.
ALL-TIME SERIES INFO
Illinois leads in the all-time series 31-9 and have gone 25-3 in games played in Champaign.
The Illini were victorious in the last meeting between the two programs on April 23, 2024, 12-1, the fist game in the series since 2009.
Illinois has won 15-straight matchups overall, dating back to 1992, all of which have been played at Illinois Field.
MICHIGAN SERIES RECAP
Illinois dropped two of three games over the weekend to Michigan to open 2025 Big Ten play. The series was played at Holman Stadium at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla.
Jack Zebig led the way offensively for the Illini, going 5-for-10 at the plate with six runs, a double, two home runs, seven RBI and three walks for an overall slash of .500/.643/1.200, an OPS of 1.843. Zebig homered on Friday and Saturday and his two-run double in the eighth inning of Sunday's contest gave Illinois its first lead of the game.
On the mound, Ben Plumley allowed one earned run over 4.2 innings on Saturday, tallying a career-high seven strikeouts. In Sunday's finale, Regan Hall allowed just two earned runs over 5.0 innings in his first start of the campaign. Zach Bates turned in a stellar relief outing in Sunday's victory, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings, whiffing three batters, to earn his first-career win at Illinois.
BIG Z
Jack Zebig continued his great start to the season over the weekend vs. Michigan, going 5-for-10 at the plate with six runs, a double, two home runs, seven RBI and three walks for an overall slash of .500/.643/1.200, an OPS of 1.843. Zebig homered on Friday and Saturday and his two-run double in the eighth inning of Sunday's contest gave Illinois its first lead of the game.
Zebig extended his hitting streak to eight games and has gone 15-for-31 (.484) during that span with three doubles, three home runs and 16 RBI. The junior has also hit safely in 12 of 13 games overall, with multi-hit performances in eight of those ballgames.
The Plainfield, Ill., native, currently leads the Illini in batting average (.404), runs (16), hits (21), doubles (4), home runs (4) and RBI (19).
V FOR VALINCIUS
In 12 games this season, Vytas Valincius ranks second on the Illini with a .306 batting average, having recorded a hit in 11 games. The senior also ranks second on the team with 16 RBI, having driven in at least one run in nine contests.
CATCH THEM IF YOU CAN
Through 13 games this season, the Illini have stolen 26 bases in 28 attempts already surpassing their 2024 total of 25 stolen bases.
Cameron Chee-Aloy leads the Illini, while ranking fourth among Big Ten players, in stolen bases, having gone 8-for-8. On Feb. 25 vs. Aurora, he swiped five bases, setting a new single-game program record.
Greg LaChance (4-for-4), Kyle Schupmann (3-for-3) and Vytas Valincius (3-for-3) are also all perfect in multiple stolen base attempts.
CLUTCH HITTING
Through 13 games this season, the Illini have delivered in big spots at the plate, posting a team average of .311 with runners in scoring position as well as a team average of .299 with two outs in an inning. This has led to a total of 50 two-out RBI, which accounts for 46 percent (50/109) of runs scored by the offense this season.
Jack Zebig leads the team with eight hits with runners in scoring position, while Vytas Valincius and also Zebig lead the squad with seven hits with two outs. The duo also lead the squad with nine two-out RBI.
Illinois has also been successful at moving runners over in their plate appearances, doing so at a .513 clip (143/279).
HOME OPENER RECAP
Illinois' offense picked up right where it left off at Illinois Field in 2024, erupting for 19 runs and 13 hits, including three home runs, earning a decisive 19-8 victory over Aurora on Feb. 25.
Jack Zebig went 2-for-4 with a run, home run and six RBI, while Greg LaChance went 3-for-3 with two runs, a home run and two RBI. Nick Groves and Kyle Schupmann each collected three RBI in the contest.
The Illini used nine pitchers in the contest, with Aden O'Donnell, Zach Bates, Reed Gannon, Grant Ross and Evan Clark each tossing at least 1.0 scoreless frames.
SANCHY STARS
Julius Sanchez, making his first start since May 19, 2023, was stellar in his 2025 debut on Feb. 16, earning a quality start by tossing 7.0 innings of one-run ball, allowing just three hits and striking out a career-high 10 batters.
Sanchez started off his outing by allowing just two through his first 3.0 innings of work and then retired eight-straight batters from the third through fifth inning.
He was the first Illini pitcher since Cooper Omans on March 12, 2024, at Indiana State to fire at least 10 strikeouts in a game.
The LaSalle, Ill., native, followed that up by earning his first win since May 17, 2024, at Purdue, by tossing 5.0 innings of two-run ball on Feb. 23's doubleheader finale at Texas State.
Sanchez currently leads all qualified pitchers on staff with a 4.50 ERA and also leads qualified arms with a .250 average against.
DAN HARTLEB'S 20TH SEASON
Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb begins his 20th season at the helm of the program in 2025.
The winningest coach in Illini baseball history has currently amassed 574 wins, three Big Ten championship, one Big Ten Tournament title, five NCAA Regional appearances and one NCAA Super Regional Appearance.
Along with being named Big Ten Coach of the Year two times, Hartleb was named Big Coach of the Decade (2010s), by D1Baseball.
As he enters his 35th season overall at Illinois, Hartleb has seen 148 players have earned Big Ten All-Conference honors under his watch, with 47 of those players earning first-team selections. He's also coached a total of 27 All-Americans and 96 players who have gone on to play professionally.
Among active Big Ten coaches, Hartleb is one of two coaches that have spent at least 20 seasons as head coach at their current school (John Savage, UCLA, 21st season in 2025).
2024 B1G CHAMPS
For the 31st time in program history, Illinois was crowned Big Ten champions after its 9-4 victory over Purdue on May 17, 2024. The Illini were able to claim an outright title with Nebraska's loss to Michigan State on May 18, 2024. Their 18-10 triumph later that day over the Boilermakers would have also solidified an outright title had the Huskers won.
The conference title was the program's third in the Dan Hartleb era (2006-pres.) and the first since 2015. Hartleb's three Big Ten championships are fifth-most in program history.
Illinois 31 conference titles are second-most all-time in the Big Ten.
ILLINI PLAY LONG BALL
During the 2024 campaign, the Fighting Illini launched 104 home runs, setting a new program record and shattering the previous of 91 (1998) in the process.
Illinois' 104 home runs were the most among Big Ten teams, slugging 21 more than second-placed Indiana (83). It also ranked 28th nationally and ninth among teams that played fewer than 60 games.
The Orange and Blue averaged 1.86 home runs per game, which was the 19th-highest mark in the country and the best in the Big Ten.
Five players tallied double-digit home runs last season (Brody Harding, Ryan Moerman, Jacob Schroeder, Vytas Valincius, Drake Westcott) and were the only team in the conference with more than four players in double figures.
The Illini return 54.8 percent (57/104) of their home run production in 2025.
FOUR IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
Illinois slugged at least four home runs in a single game seven times last season, winning each one of those contests.
Illinois had eight such games in 2023, going 7-1 in those ballgames. Since 2018, Illinois is 18-2 when they hit at least four homers in a single game.
HOME SWEET HOME
Illinois finished the 2024 season 20-3 at Illinois Field after taking two of three games from Iowa from May 10-12, 2024.
The Illini also went 8-0 during its season-long homestand from April 9-23, 2024.
It was the first time since 2015 that Illinois won at least 20 home games, with the Illini's .869 winning percentage is the highest mark in program history since 1940 (8-1, .889).
The Orange and Blue were victorious in all six home series last season, earning sweeps over Penn State, Northern Illinois and Northwestern. Overall, Illinois has won nine-straight home series, dating back to 2023.
Following the sweep of Northwestern from April 19-21, 2024, the Illini had won 12-straight Big Ten home games dating back to last season, four series sweeps, which was the longest such streak since the Orange and Blue won 18-straight such games from May 2, 2014, to March 26, 2016.
The Fighting Illini also won their home opener 12-2 over Eastern Illinois at Illinois Field on Feb. 27, 2024. Illinois is 8-3 in its last 11 home openers and the 12 runs scored are the most since also scoring 12 in the 2021 home opener vs. Northwestern.
OPENING DAY HISTORY
Illinois is 6-3 in their last nine season openers, following 2025's curtain-raising defeat to Abilene Christian on Feb. 14...the Illini snapped a brief two-game losing streak in season openers in their 9-6 victory over Youngstown State in 2023.
DAN HARTLEB, THE WINNINGEST COACH AT ILLINOIS
Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb earned win No. 519 on April 2, 2023, against Michigan, passing Lee Eilbracht for the most in program history...currently has 574 career wins.
CLEAN FIELDING
The Illini led the Big Ten in fielding percentage during conference play (.986) last season for the third-straight year and for the fifth time in the last six seasons overall.
The Illini posted a .979 fielding percentage overall and have posted a .970 overall fielding percentage or better in 12 of the last 14 seasons.
NEW YEAR, NEW FACES
Illinois has 17 returners and 18 newcomers on the 2024 roster.
» Thirteen newcomers are transfers: LHP Zach Bates (Iowa Central CC), RHP Ryan Daly (St. Francis), RHP Mitch Dye (Lincoln Land CC), OF Nick Groves (Niagara), C/1B Will Johannes (Madison College), INF Greg LaChance (Jefferson College), LHP Reece Marley (Case Western Reserve), RHP Christian Morel (Tampa Unviersity), INF/RHP Grant Ross (Madison College), RHP Tyler Schmitt (UW-La Crosse), INF Kyle Schupmann (Cincinnati), OF Alexander Wright (George Washington), INF Jack Zebig (Marryville University)
ILLINI TRIO EARN BIG TEN PRESEASON HONORS
A trio of Illini baseball players were selected Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch, the conference announced on Feb. 12.
Right-hander Ben Plumley along with catcher Jacob Schroeder and first baseman Drake Westcott, were all named to the list.
Plumley is coming off of a breakout 2024 season, where he amassed 33 strikeouts in 35.1 innings of work last season over 23 relief appearances. He had a season-long six-game span (8.1 IP) without allowing an earned run from May 10 to June 1, striking out eight batters compared to three walks.
Schroeder, who earned 2024 College Baseball Foundation All-American Second Team and All-Big Ten First Team honors slashed .306/.434/.613 to go along with seven doubles, 14 home runs and 41 RBI. Schroeder ranked tied for ninth in the Big Ten in home runs and also ranked among conference leaders in slugging (8th) and OPS (1.047, 10th).
Westcott slashed .290/.421/.571 to go along with 11 doubles, 16 home runs and 52 RBI. He ranked among conference leaders in walks (T-3rd, 47) and home runs (T-4th). Westcott enters the 2025 campaign with 34 career dingers in the Orange and Blue, 14 away from matching Scott Spiezio's (1991-93) program record of 48.
ONES TO WATCH
D1Baseball Big Ten Top 2025 MLB Draft
Prospects: No. 19 RHP Tyler Schmitt, No. 22 OF Nick Groves, No. 37 RHP Julius Sanchez
D1Baseball Big Ten Top 2026 MLB Draft Prospects: No. 10 OF Cameron Chee-Aloy
Perfect Game Preseason All-Conference Team: 1B Drake Westcott
Perfect Game Big Ten Top 2025 MLB Draft
Prospects: No. 30 RHP Julius Sanchez, No. 38 Ben Plumley
Perfect Game Big Ten Top 2027 MLB Draft Prospects: No. 16 OF/LHP Brayden Mazzacano
ILLINI BASEBALL INKS SEVEN TO 2025 CLASS
"I am extremely excited about the group of great athletes that we have signed to join our Illini family," head coach Dan Hartleb said.
"We feel as if this group has the ability to help us to pursue future championships. In the changing times of college athletics, I feel as though our staff did a tremendous job of identifying great athletes and helping to secure their talents which will ensure our success moving forward."
Michael Farina / INF / Mundelein, Ill.
Aidan Flinn / LHP / Mokena, Ill.
Lucas Krebs / SS / Edwardsville, Ill.
Ryan Ohm / RHP / Rochester, Minn.
AJ Putty / 1B / McHenry, Ill.
Jack Wheeler / 3B/RHP / Morris, Ill.
Ike Young / RHP / Cisco, Ill.
UP NEXT
The Fighting Illini continue this five-game homestand with a three-game set vs. Valparaiso. First pitch in Friday's series opener is set for 6 p.m. CT.
