Illinois faces its biggest series challenge of the season against the Minnesota Golden Gophers this weekend in Minneapolis. The Illini are in desperate need of a Big Ten series win in order to keep their postseason hopes alive.
“We got our backs against the wall a little bit. We need to start winning Big Ten games,” said head coach Dan Hartleb after Saturday’s doubleheader. “We have only scored 17 runs in six games and we haven’t pitched well in the bullpen or starts.”
Illinois had dropped its first two Big Ten series in a sweep against Iowa and a series loss against Maryland this past weekend.