2026 Baseball Roster
Jersey Number 40
Ben Plumley
- Year:
- Sr.
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-2 / 205
- Position:
- RHP
- Hometown:
- Chicago, Ill.
- High School:
- Lane Tech College Prep
 University of Illinois Graduate |
Career Highs
- Innings pitched: 6.0, 3x, last: vs. Michigan State, Feb. 27, 2026
- Strikeouts: 7, 2x, last: at Michigan State, March 28, 2025 (G2)
- Batters faced: 27, at Texas State, Feb. 23, 2025 (G2)
- Field chances: 2, 2x, last: at Northwestern, March 21, 2025 (G2)
- Putouts: --
- Assists: 2, vs. Abilene Christian, Feb. 15, 2025
2025 - Redshirt Junior
- Went 3-3 with a 6.26 ERA (32 ER/46.0 IP) in 10 games/starts in his first season in the starting rotation.
- Struck out a total of 40 batters, which ranked second on the Fighting Illini.
- Limited opponents to a .259 average.
- Made his first-career start on Feb. 15 vs. Abilene Christian...5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 4 BB, 6 SO.
- Struck out a career-high seven batters on March 8 vs. Michigan...later matched that mark in the second game of Illinois' doubleheader at Michigan State on March 28.
- Turned in his first-career quality start on March 28 at Michigan State in the second game of that day's doubleheader...6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 7 SO.
- Worked second-straight quality start in the second game of the Illini's doublheader vs. Maryland...6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO.
2024 - Redshirt Sophomore
- Academic All-Big Ten.
- Went 2-3 with a 4.33 ERA (17 ER/35.1 IP) in 23 relief appearances...worked at least 2.0 innings 10 times.
- Struck out 33 batters on the season and held opponents to a .252 average against.
- Did not allow a run over a five-game stretch from April 6-26, spanning 7.0 innings.
- Also had a season-long six-game span without allowing an earned run from May 10 - June 1...was over 8.1 innings of work...struck out eight batters compared to three walks.
- Whiffed a career-high four batters on May 3 vs. Ohio State.
- Worked a career-high 2.2 innings on May 23 vs. Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament...did not allow an earned run.
2023 - Redshirt Freshman
- Made one appearance on the season.
- Made his collegiate debut on April 11 at Illinois State...struck out first batter faced.
2022 - Freshman
- Redshirted. Did not make an appearance.
High School
- No. 55 recruit in Illinois by Perfect Game and No. 62 by Prep Baseball Report.
- No. 17 right-handed pitcher in Illinois by Perfect Game and No. 24 by Prep Baseball Report.
- Played for head coach Sean Freeman at Lane Tech College Prep.
- Three-year sustainability club member.
Personal
- Born August 23, 2003.
- Son of Mike and Karen Plumley.
- One older brother, Zack.
- Chose Illinois over Columbia, Lehigh, Nebraska, Miami (FL), Eastern Illinois, UIC, and St. Louis.
- Committed to Illinois in May 2021.
- Chose Illinois because, "Illinois has been my top choice from the beginning of my recruiting process. I believed it would be the best place for me to grow as a player and a person on the field and in the classroom."
- Graduated in December 2024 with a degree in agricultural and consumer economics.
- Pursuing a master's degree in accountancy.
Illini Baseball | 03.18.25 Cinematic Recap vs. Indiana State
Wednesday, March 19
ILLINI BASE | Head Coach Dan Hartleb Availability (2/12/25)
Thursday, February 13
Illini Athletics | Week of Appreciation Coaches Video Dan Hartleb
Monday, December 09
Illini Baseball | Team IMPACT Signing
Friday, September 22
