Fighting Illini Wrap Up Three-Week Homestand Against #20 Nebraska

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini (20-19, 8-10 B1G) close their 12-game homestand this weekend with a three-game series against No. 20 Nebraska. Hosting its second straight conference series against a ranked opponent, Illinois is set for its seventh Big Ten weekend of the year. Friday's first pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT, Saturday's game is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT, and Sunday's series finale is slated for 1 p.m. CT.

Admission is free, while the action from Illinois Field will stream on B1G+.

Illinois' 12-game homestand is its longest since the 2017 season, when the Illini hosted 12 straight games from March 17-April 2.

LAST TIME OUT

The Fighting Illini fell to Illinois State, 13-6, on Tuesday night at Illinois Field.

Michael Farina, AJ Putty, and Jack Zebig recorded two hits apiece, while Putty posted four RBI at the plate.

Ryan Johnson, Brayden Mazzacano, and Olivier Martel combined to allow only one run over the final five innings.

ABOUT NEBRASKA

Nebraska enters the weekend in second place in the Big Ten standings, sitting at 15-3 in conference play alongside a 31-10 overall record. The Huskers arrive in Champaign with three straight conference wins after sweeping No. 12 USC from April 17-19.

At the plate, Nebraska is led by six different qualified hitters with a .320 average or better. OF Mac Moyer has a team-best .396 batting average, while INF Dylan Carey is not far behind with a .385 mark to go with team-best marks in home runs (12) and RBI (52). OF Drew Grego and INF Jett Buck have hit seven home runs apiece, while INF Case Sanderson holds a .358 batting average with five home runs and 36 RBI. INF Rhett Stokes rounds out the group with a .348 average. Carey and Moyer are tied for second in the Big Ten rankings in hits (65) this season, while the Huskers rank first in the conference and seventh nationally in hits this season (452).

The Husker pitching staff has a combined 4.70 ERA this season. Projected Friday starter RHP Cooper Katskee has a 5-0 record with a 4.02 ERA and a .206 average against, while Saturday's expected starter of RHP Carson Jasa is 7-1 with a 3.93 ERA to go alongside a team-high 77 strikeouts across 52.2 innings of work. Projected Sunday starter RHP Gavin Blachowicz is 3-1 with a 3.02 ERA.

SERIES HISTORY

Illinois holds an 18-15 all-time edge in the series, which dates back to the first meeting between the sides in 1897. The teams will square off for the first time since the 2023 season, when Nebraska took two of three games from the Illini from March 24-26 in Lincoln, Neb.

Illinois will host Nebraska in Champaign for the first time since the 2022 campaign, when the Illini won two of three games from May 13-15.

SCHUPMANN'S WALKOFF SENDS ILLINI PAST #19 OREGON

The Fighting Illini used a three-run walkoff home run from Kyle Schupmann to cap off a wild Saturday at Illinois Field, with the Orange and Blue defeating No. 19 Oregon, 16-13.

The Illini recorded 12 runs over the final three innings, with the sides combining to score 21 times across the last three frames of the day.

Schupmann delivered the game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth, finishing his 2-for-5 day at the plate with four RBI and two runs scored. Michael Farina reached base four times and tallied three hits while scoring twice.

Nick Groves, J.R. Nelson, and AJ Putty all posted multi-hit days of their own. Groves and Nelson each generated two RBI, while Putty also drew three walks and scored three times.

On the mound, Sam Mommer secured the victory, tossing the final 1.2 innings without conceding a run while only allowing one baserunner.

GROVES CLIMBS ILLINI ON-BASE STREAK LIST

OF Nick Groves reached base in 42 consecutive games between April 29, 2025, and April 5, 2026, which ranks as the fourth-longest stretch by an Illini since 2004. He reached base safely in each of his first 29 appearances to start the 2026 season.

The streak came to an end against Indiana State on April 7.

ON-BASE STREAKS SINCE 2004

1. Cam McDonald (2021-22)...........................63 games
2. Branden Comia (2022-23)...........................60 games
3. Ben Troike (2017-18)...................................57 games
4. Nick Groves (2025-26)...............................42 games
5. Kyle Hudson (2008).....................................38 games

PUTTY NAMED PG MIDSEASON FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICAN

Freshman first baseman AJ Putty was named a Midseason Freshman First Team All-American by Perfect Game, the organization announced on April 1.

Putty was one of two Big Ten players on the list, joined by Oregon outfielder Angel Laya.

Through the first 27 games of his collegiate career, Putty is hitting .342 with four home runs, 33 RBI, and 10 doubles while starting all 27 contests. He currently leads the Illini in batting average, RBI, and hits.

ILLINI PITCHING STAFF STARS IN SERIES WIN VS. MINNESOTA

The Illini pitching staff combined to allow just four runs in the team's 2-1 series win against Minnesota on March 13-14 at Illinois Field.

It marked the Illini's fewest runs allowed in a three-game series since May 7-8, 2022, vs. Miami (Ohio), when the staff conceded just three runs. It was also the program's fewest runs allowed in a three-game Big Ten series since May 9-11, 2014, at Iowa (four runs).

ILLINI GO 3-0 AT FIRST PITCH INVITATIONAL (FEB. 27-MARCH 1)

Illinois went perfect at the First Pitch Invitational at the Greenville Drive's Fluor Field in Greenville, S.C. The Illini defeated Michigan State, Charleston, and UAlbany over the course of the three-day event.

The Illini kicked off the weekend with a 10-inning win, 5-4, over Michigan State on Friday afternoon. Michael Farina delivered the game-winning hit in extras, Daniel Contreras and Nick Groves tallied three hits apiece, and Kyle Remington pitched the final three innings in relief en route to victory.

On Saturday, the Illini continued their winning ways with their first shutout of the season, a 5-0 victory over Charleston. Regan Hall earned the win with his six shutout innings before Aidan Flinn and Reed Gannon combined for three scoreless frames in relief. Hall allowed five hits while striking out seven, Flinn finished with three strikeouts across two innings, while Gannon recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth to close out the victory.

Closing out the weekend with a 14-6 win over UAlbany, Illinois saw Michael Farina and Kyle Schupmann both register three hits, while Collin Jennings and AJ Putty posted three RBI apiece. The Illini used nine pitchers during the contest, with Mitch Dye earning the victory behind his 2.2 shutout innings with two strikeouts.

DAN HARTLEB REACHES 600 CAREER WINS

With Illinois' win at No. 6 Coastal Carolina, Dan Hartleb secured the 600th victory of his collegiate managerial career.

Currently in his 21st season at the helm of the program in 2026, Hartleb is the winningest coach in Illini baseball history. During his tenure, he has led the Orange and Blue to three Big Ten championships, one Big Ten Tournament title, five NCAA Regional appearances, and one NCAA Super Regional appearance with the Orange and Blue.

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 36th season overall at Illinois, Hartleb has seen 155 players earn Big Ten All-Conference honors under his watch, with 47 of those players earning first-team selections. He has also coached a total of 27 All-Americans and 110 players who have gone on to play professionally.

Among active Big Ten coaches, Hartleb is one of two coaches who have spent at least 20 seasons as head coach at their current school (John Savage, UCLA, 22nd season in 2026).

NEW YEAR, NEW FACES

Illinois has 16 returners and 18 newcomers on its 2026 roster.

Thirteen newcomers are transfers: C Daniel Contreras (Illinois State), OF Cole Crafton (Louisville), INF Michael Farina (Southeastern CC), LHP Tore Indomenico (Notre Dame), RHP Ryan Johnson (Georgia Tech), RHP Richie LaCien (Lawrence University), RHP Olivier Martel (Mineral Area College), RHP Liam McKillop (SIUE), RHP Sam Mommer (Wisconsin-Parkside), INF J.R. Nelson (Ohio), RHP Ryan Ohm (Iowa Central CC), RHP Kyle Remington (Minnesota), and OF/1B Cole Warehime (SEMO).

The Illini roster includes five freshmen, all of whom hail from the state of Illinois: LHP Aidan Flinn (Mokena), INF Lucas Krebs (Edwardsville), INF AJ Putty (McHenry), OF/RHP Foti Rigopoulos (Galena), and RHP Ike Young (Cisco).

PUTTY NAMED B1G FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK (FEB. 23)

Fighting Illini freshman infielder AJ Putty was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the first time in his career following a standout second week of the 2026 season, the conference office announced on Monday afternoon.

Across Illinois' four games from Feb. 17-22, Putty went 9-for-17 with five doubles, a grand slam, and 11 RBI while starting each contest at first base.

A native of McHenry, Illinois, Putty marked his home debut with a 3-for-5 day at the plate against Butler, driving in two runs while scoring twice and hitting two doubles. He registered multiple RBI three days later in the Illini's victory over VCU, reaching base twice via a walk and a single.

His biggest performance of the week came in the Illini's upset road win over No. 6 Coastal Carolina on Sunday. The freshman first baseman went 5-for-6 with four extra-base hits, seven RBI, and 11 total bases. His grand slam in the first inning marked the second home run of his collegiate career, while his five hits and three doubles are tied for the most by a Big Ten player in a game this season.

Putty now holds a team-high batting average of .414 through the first seven college games while slugging a team-best .828. His 12 hits, six doubles, 24 total bases, and 13 RBI also lead the team thus far this season.

He is the first Illini to win Big Ten Freshman of the Week in nearly nine years, when former Illini and current Kansas City Royal Michael Massey received the honor on May 1, 2017.

NCBWA STOPPER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST

Two Illini baseball players were selected to the watch list for the 21st Annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award.

Left-hander Zach Bates and right-hander Mitch Dye were both named to the list.

Bates is coming off of a breakout 2025 season, during which he amassed 34 strikeouts in 28.2 innings of work last season over 23 relief appearances. He ended the year with an ERA of 2.83 to go along with a team-high eight saves.

During the 2025 season, Dye put together 23.0 innings of work to go along with 29 strikeouts. He amassed 21 relief appearances and ended the season with an ERA of 7.43. Dye also added one save on the year.

ILLINI TRIO NAMED TO B1G PLAYERS TO WATCH LIST

The Fighting Illini saw three student-athletes honored on the Big Ten Players to Watch list, the conference office announced on Wednesday.

Junior outfielder Collin Jennings, junior left-handed pitcher Regan Hall, and senior outfielder Nick Groves were all recognized with preseason honors for the first time in their respective careers.

Jennings put together a breakout sophomore season in 2025, hitting 16 home runs and driving in 61 runs, the latter of which were the most by an Illini since 2008. Tabbed with preseason All-Big Ten honors from Perfect Game, the Orland Park, Ill., native was also named one of the nation's top 100 collegiate juniors by the organization.

Hall heads into the 2026 season after securing a team-high seven wins on the mound for the Illini as a sophomore. Going 4-0 with a 1.03 ERA in the month of April in 2025, the New Mexico native finished his sophomore season with 67.2 innings pitched across 12 starts and 14 total appearances. He recorded his first complete game against Indiana on April 13.

Groves appeared in 43 games, making 41 starts, for the Illini in his first season with the program in 2025. Tallying a slash line of .324/.493/.385, his .493 on-base percentage ranked fifth in Big Ten last season, while his 15 stolen bases were tied for the seventh-most in the conference. He entered 2026 with an active on-base streak of 13 games.

ONES TO WATCH

Perfect Game Preseason All-Big Ten
OF Collin Jennings

Perfect Game Top 100 Collegiate Juniors
No. 77 - OF Collin Jennings

Perfect Game Top 2026 B1G Draft Prospects
No. 9 - OF Collin Jennings

Perfect Game Top 2027 B1G Draft Prospects
No. 16 - LHP/OF Brayden Mazzacano
No. 19 - C/OF Luke Landrus

Perfect Game Top 2028 B1G Draft Prospects
No. 13 - RHP Ike Young

D1Baseball Preseason Second Baseman Rankings
No. 46 - Jack Zebig

D1Baseball Preseason Third Baseman Rankings
No. 25 - Kyle Schupmann

D1Baseball Preseason Outfielder Rankings
No. 99 - Collin Jennings

D1Baseball Preseason Relief Pitcher Rankings
No. 65 - Zach Bates

D1Baseball Top 2026 B1G Draft Prospects
No. 16 - OF Collin Jennings
No. 53 - 2B Jack Zebig
No. 54 - LHP Zach Bates

D1Baseball Top 2027 B1G Draft Prospects
No. 17 - RHP Ryan Johnson
No. 23 - OF Cole Crafton
No. 26 - LHP/OF Brayden Mazzacano

D1Baseball Top Impact B1G Freshmen
No. 15 - RHP Ike Young
No. 26 - LHP Aidan Flinn