The gritty members of Dan Hartleb's 36-19 baseball team have known disappointment.
It's built into the game. Good hitters are retired two-thirds of the time. Injuries happen. And slumps.
Of 22 key Illini producers, 13 have either redshirted, transferred in or otherwise been delayed. Of those 22 members, 19 are at least 20 years old with ace lefty Andy Fisher a grizzled 23, five-tool center fielder Zac Taylor also 23, standout right fielder Jack Yalowitz 22 and, of course, Marine veteran Josh Harris 25.
These guys grinded through another wet, bitter spring when they should have been employing umbrellas and overcoats.