CHAMPAIGN — Illinois coach Dan Hartleb penciled in Kevin Duchene’s name for the first time this spring on Feb. 27. Duchene mowed down Ball State in his 2015 debut, striking out nine in seven scoreless innings.
Hartleb has done the same thing every successive Friday. Duchene, too, racking up an 8-1 record, 74 strikeouts in 69 innings and a 0.78 ERA that stands as third best in the nation (although behind teammate Tyler Jay’s 0.73).
Duchene’s debut came two weeks into the season, though. Hartleb suspended his ace at the beginning of February for what he said was a violation of team rules.