| Probable Starting Pitchers |
| Day | Illinois | Saint Louis |
| Fri., 6 p.m. | Cody Sedlock (4-1, 3.48) | RHP Matt Eckelman (6-2, 3.86) |
| Sat., 3 p.m. | Doug Hayes (4-2, 3.51) | RHP Miller Hogan (3-4, 3.92) |
| Sun., 1 p.m. | Cole Bellair (0-2, 3.08) | LHP Devin Mahoney (1-1, 3.33) |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini baseball team hosts nonconference opponent Saint Louis this weekend at Illinois Field. The Illini are set to face the Billikens Friday (6 p.m. CT), Saturday (3 p.m. CT) and Sunday (1 p.m. CT).
Tuesday's 7-1 win over Illinois State marked the start of five straight nonconference games for the Illini. Jason Goldstein had four RBIs and Michael Hurwitz, Dan Rowbottom and Doran Turchin added two hits apiece.
The Illini are playing a nonconference series in the middle of Big Ten play because of the conference's unbalanced schedule. There are thirteen Big Ten schools that support baseball programs. Wisconsin dropped baseball in 1991.
Illinois (14-16, 4-5 Big Ten) is looking to get back on track after dropping two straight Big Ten series following nine consecutive series wins dating back to 2014. This weekend, the Illini are scheduled to start its usual rotation with Cody Sedlock, Doug Hayes and Cole Bellair.
Saint Louis (16-18, 7-2 Atlantic 10) is in first place of the Atlantic 10 Conference after a 7-2 conference start that included sweeps of Dayton and George Mason. The Billikens are led by third baseman Josh Bunselmeyer, who is tied for 18th in home runs in the NCAA. Bunselmeyer paces slew with a .313, while right fielder Trent Leimkuehler (.313) and first baseman Braxton Martinez (.306) are both over .300, as well.
All three games will be streamed live for free on FightingIllini.com with Dave Loane on the radio call.
SERIES HISTORY
• Record: 24-3-1 (.875)
• Last: W, 7-2 (4/8/2015 at Illinois)
• First: W, 12-1 (4/16/1946 at Illinois)
• Illinois has won nine of the last 10 games against Saint Louis
• Illini are 14-1 vs. Saint Louis in Champaign
NOW TRENDING - #ILLINI
MICHAEL HURWITZ
• Hurwitz is batting .577 (15-26) in the last six games with four RBIs and nine runs scored.
DAN ROWBOTTOM - @DanRow13
• Rowbottom is the 11th toughest player to strikeout in the nation (5% of at-bats) and is on a nine-game reached base streak.
DORAN TURCHIN - @TurchinDoran
• Turchin is on a eight-game hitting streak after going 2 for 4 Tuesday.
NOTES
• The Illini have won three of its last five games after dropping four of its previous five.
• Illinois is 12-1 when leading after five innings.
• The Illini rank 33rd in the nation in strikeout-to-walk rato (2.59)
• Cody Sedlock is the Big Ten's strikeout leader with 63. He has 10 more than any Big Ten pitcher.
UP NEXT
Illinois makes a trip to Mattoon, Illinois, to face Eastern Illinois Tuesday and hosts Ohio State Friday-Sunday to resume Big Ten play.
