Eastern Illinois (4-6, 0-0 OVC) at Illinois (7-2, 0-0 Big Ten)
Game 1: Tuesday at 3:30 PM | Champaign, Ill. | Illinois Field | BIG+ | Live Stats
Eastern Illinois (4-6, 0-0 OVC) at Bellarmine (2-9, 0-0 ASUN)
March 6th – 8th | Louisville, Kentucky | Knights Field
Game 1: Friday at 12 PM | ESPN+ | Live Stats
Game 2: Saturday at 12 PM | ESPN+ | Live Stats
Game 3: Sunday at 12 PM | Live Stats
Eastern Illinois is looking to bounce back after being swept by Northern Kentucky. EIU is currently on a 5-game losing skid but will have four upcoming games to turn the ship around. The Panthers will face the University of Illinois in a mid-week matchup on Tuesday, March 3rd, before heading to Bellarmine for one final weekend road trip before the home opener.
Nearing Home Opener
EIU has opened their season with 14 road games, traveling to four different states, including Florida, Arkansas, Indiana, and Kentucky. The Panthers will play their home opener on March 11th against Illinois Wesleyan.
Last Time Out
Eastern Illinois endured a series sweep last weekend against Northern Kentucky, including a four-hour 20-15 game on Sunday. EIU suffered a narrow pitching duel loss in the game, 1-3. The next two games were high-scoring affairs with the Panthers dropping both to end the weekend series. Peyton Wilson led the Panthers' offense, hitting .385 in 13 ABs, recording five hits, three doubles, one home run, and four RBIs. Right behind Wilson, James Love ended the weekend hitting .417, totaling five hits and three RBIs. Chris Worcester completed the offensive trio, hitting .286 with 5 RBIs, four hits, and two doubles.
On the mound, EIU struggled in games two and three, allowing 28 runs in two games. However, Tyler Conklin continues to be a bright spot for the Panthers. Conklin ended the weekend with a 1.50 ERA in six innings of work. Conklin also recorded five strikeouts. Bryce Riggs threw 5.2 innings, ending the appearance with a 4.76 ERA and six strikeouts.
About Illinois
The University of Illinois will enter the week with a 7-4 record after sweeping the Greenville, S.C., Tournament. EIU opened their tournament with fellow Big-Ten member, Michigan State, winning 5-4 in extra innings. Illinois faced trouble the rest of the weekend, winning 5-0 over College of Charleston and 14-6 over UAlbany. The Fighting Illini have faced a familiar face, Lindenwood University, in which the Illini won 13-9. Illinois is led by Dan Hartleb, who is in his 21st season as head coach and 36th season on the Illini coaching staff. Offensively, AJ Putty leads the way hitting .409 with 22 RBIs and four home runs. On the mound, Regan Hall holds a 2.55 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 17.2 innings of work.
About Bellarmine
Bellarmine enters the week with a 2-9 record. The Knights will face Seton Hall in a midweek matchup on Tuesday, March 3rd. Bellarmine is currently on a seven-game losing streak after being swept by Saint Louis. The Knights also faced Tennessee, the 13th-ranked team in the country. Their only wins come against Middle Tennessee and Belmont. Bellarmine is coached by Ben Reel, who is in his 2nd season at the helm. Reel was the NAIA-Ball National Coach of the Year in 2021, leading his team to a NAIA World Series appearance. AJ Swader leads the offense, hitting .368 with 14 hits, five doubles, and seven RBIs. Cole Huett is right behind him, hitting .310 with nine hits and five RBIs.
On the mound, Cade Rusch holds a 1.50 ERA with nine strikeouts in six innings of work.
All-Time Series vs. Illinois
The Fighting Illini lead the all-time series against the Panthers 55-26. The teams first met in 1960. These two programs were scheduled to meet last year but were cancelled due to inclement weather. In 2024, Illinois beat EIU 12-2 in Champaign; however, the Panthers earned a victory the year prior, winning 1-0 in 12 innings.
All-Time Series vs. Bellarmine
EIU has faced Bellarmine a total of 13 times, with the Panthers leading the series 10-3. Eastern Illinois won the matchup last year 15-8 on the road. EIU has won the last five matchups dating back to 2021.
The single game against Illinois can be followed along on the live stats and BIG+ links above. The three-game weekend series against Bellarmine will be covered on ESPN+ and live stat links, which can be found above.
