CHAMPAIGN — Ben Troike spent Sunday's series finale against Indiana on the Illinois bench, the product of being hit on the hand by a pitch the day before. Illini coach Dan Hartleb announced Thursday the junior shortstop will miss the rest of the 2019 season because of that injury.
"We just move forward," Hartleb said. "You never want anyone to get injured. Ben's an important part of our team, but we've got some really good players that we'll be able to plug in."
Branden Comia will replace Troike at shortstop. Just like the freshman did for 31 games at second base when all Michael Massey could do was DH.