Illini Continue Homestand with Series vs. Valparaiso

Friday, March 14

Champaign, Ill.

3 PM CT

University of Illinois

Valparaiso

BASE National Anthem - 03.11.25 vs. Western Illinois

March 13, 2025 | Baseball

Preview

Illinois vs. Valparaiso
When	March 14-16
Where	Champaign, Ill. (Illinois Field)
Video	B1G+ \| Fri. \| Sat. \| Sun.
Radio	WDWS 1400-AM, 93.9 FM // FightingIllini.com
Live Stats	FightingIllini.com
Notes	Illinois \| Valparaiso
Shop	Online Store \| Auctions
Social Media	@IlliniBaseball \| @IlliniBaseball \| Facebook \| YouTube

Probable Starting Pitchers
Day	Illinois	Valparaiso
Fri. 3 p.m. CT	RHP Tyler Schmitt (1-1, 5.21)	RHP Connor Lockwood (1-2, 6.18)
Sat. 3 p.m. CT	RHP Ben Plumley (0-1, 5.49)	RHP Harry Deliyannis (1-1, 11.12)
Sun. 1 p.m. CT	LHP Regan Hall (1-0, 7.27)	RHP Spencer Boynton (1-2, 9.53)

PREVIEW

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois baseball continues its season-long five-game homestand with a three-game weekend series vs. Valparaiso. The Fighting Illini are 2-0 at home this season, outscoring their opponents 30-12.

The Orange and Blue captured an 11-4 victory over Western Illinois on Tuesday, with eight different Illini recording an RBI in the contest. Nick Groves and Kyle Schupmann each had multi-hit efforts and Brayden Mazzacano worked 3.0 scoreless innings.

RHP Tyler Schmitt (1-1, 5.21) will get the ball in Friday's opener, with RHP Ben Plumley (0-1, 5.49) and LHP Regan Hall (1-0, 7.27) set to follow in the rotation.

Admission to Illinois Field is free all season long. Fans attending games this weekend will not be able to park at State Farm Center due to IHSA State Finals on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, NE and SE lots at State Farm Center will be open but will close at 1:30 p.m. CT. Fans should also refer to the gameday guide for more parking information and updated Illinois Field policies.

SERIES HISTORY

vs. Valparaiso

Record: 16-4 (H: 12-2, A: 4-2, N: 0-0)
Last: L, 7-11 (4/17/18 at Champaign, Ill.)
First-ever three-game series between the programs
First meeting on April 13, 1946...Illinois won 10-0 in Champaign

NOTES

ILLINI HOMESTAND CONTINUES VS. VALPARAISO

Illinois baseball continues its season-long five-game homestand with a three-game series vs. Valparaiso at Illinois Field.

The Orange and Blue used a seven-run eighth to earn an 11-4 midweek victory over Western Illinois on Tuesday to kick off the homestand. Kyle Schupmann drove in three runs while Brayden Mazzacano worked 3.0 scoreless frames in relief.

Peter Hanson and Ethan Oskroba will have the call on Friday and Saturday while Andrew Burkey and Tony Fanara have the call on Sunday. All three games this weekend will be streamed on B1G+.

Mike Reis 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

Valparaiso comes into the contest with a 3-9 record, having suffered a midweek defeat to No. 16 Vanderbilt, 12-0 in seven innings, on Tuesday in Nashville, Tenn.

In their last weekend series, the Beacons dropped two of three at Ohio State, earning their lone win in the series opener on March 7.

C Liam Patton is leading Valpo at the plate through 12 games this season, slashing .325/.491/.375 to go along with two doubles and nine RBI.

RHP Connor Lockwood is leading the staff's qualified arms, going 1-2 with a 6.18 ERA (19 ER/27.2 IP) with 24 strikeouts over four games/starts.

The Beacons went 14-38 last season, including a 6-21 mark in Missouri Valley play.

ALL-TIME SERIES INFO

Illinois leads in the all-time series 16-4 and have gone 12-2 in games played in Champaign.

The Illini fell in the last meeting between the two programs on April 17, 2018, 11-7, the first game in the series since 1981.

Illinois has won four of the last five matchups overall, which dates back to 1963.

The first meeting between these teams came on April 13, 1946, where the Illini were victorious, 10-0, in Champaign.

MIDWEEK ACTION RECAP

Illinois began its season-long five-game homestand with an 11-4 victory over Western Illinois on Tuesday.

Kyle Schupmann led the way offensively, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a double, three RBI and a walk. Nick Groves also tallied a multi-hit effort, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a double and an RBI.

Ryan Daly got the start for the Illini and worked 3.0 innings, allowing one run, unearned, on one hit to go along with three strikeouts. Brayden Mazzacano starred in relief, tossing 3.0 scoreless frames, striking out one.

MICHIGAN SERIES RECAP

Illinois dropped two of three games last 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 March 7 and 8 and his two-run double in the eighth inning on March 9 gave Illinois its first lead of the game.

On the mound, Ben Plumley allowed one earned run over 4.2 innings on March 8, tallying a career-high seven strikeouts. In the series finale on March 9, 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 the victory on March 9, 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 last 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 March 7 and 8 and his two-run double in the eighth inning in the contest on March 9 gave Illinois its first lead of the game.

Zebig extended his hitting streak to nine games by going 1-for-4 with a run and RBI vs. Western Illinois on Tuesday and has now gone 16-for-35 (.457) during that span with three doubles, three home runs and 17 RBI.

The junior has also hit safely in 13 of 14 games overall, with multi-hit performances in eight of those ballgames.

The Plainfield, Ill., native, currently leads the Illini in runs (17), hits (22), home runs (4) and RBI (20), is tied for first in doubles (4) and ranks second in batting average (.393).

V FOR VALINCIUS

In 13 games this season, Vytas Valincius ranks fourth on the Illini with a .308 batting average, having recorded a hit in 12 games. The senior also ranks second on the team with 17 RBI, having driven in at least one run in 10 contests.

CATCH THEM IF YOU CAN

Through 14 games this season, the Illini have stolen 27 bases in 30 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 14 games this season, the Illini have delivered in big spots at the plate, posting a team average of .296 with runners in scoring position as well as a team average of .288 with two outs in an inning. This has led to a total of 56 two-out RBI, which accounts for 47 percent (56/120) 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 .520 clip (158/304).

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 575 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 575 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.