The competition for outfield spots is ongoing as the Fighting Illini approach the season opener at Tulane. Pat McInerney has solidified himself as a leader of the team and will most likely start in right field, but the other two positions are up for grabs.

"Pat (McInerney) is a guy that did all the right things," said head coach Dan Hartleb. "This year he has been more vocal and he's a guy that is very respected on the team. I've been very pleased with the leadership."

A contingent of freshmen could end up seeing time early in the season and although the team is young, Hartleb is not changing the program's expectations. "The first meeting the team had this year, I told them there is an expectation for this program to win at a high level. I told them I have that expectation, people in the community have that expectation, and people in college baseball have that expectation. So (the players) need to have that expectation."
 

BIG YEAR AHEAD

McInerney is poised to be one of the most feared hitters in the Big Ten after earning third team all-conference as a designated hitter a year ago. As a sophomore, McInerney hit .290 with five homers and 34 RBI including a game-winning RBI single in the conference tournament against Nebraska to push Illinois' Big Ten record winning streak to 27 games. 

CENTERFIELD COMPETITION

The contenders for centerfield, according to Hartleb's Monday press conference are four freshmen:  Caleb Kyle (Frisco, Texas/Prestonwood Academy), Doran Turchin (Oak Creek, Wis./Oak Creek), Bren Spillane (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling) and Jack Yalowitz (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy). "They have all shown a lot of very very good things from a skill standpoint," said Hartleb. "We are going to have great speed in the outfield; all those guys can really run."

STILL IN ORANGE & BLUE

The young guys will have a chance to learn from last year's centerfielder Will Krug, who is back with the Illini as a student volunteer assistant coach.