PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers baseball will play its final home series of the season this weekend when it hosts Illinois. Friday and Saturday’s games will take place at Bainton Field, while Sunday’s finale will be played at ShoreTown Ballpark in Lakewood due to University commencement.
The Fighting Illini are 22-22 overall and 11-10 in the Big Ten, having most recently swept Michigan State at home.
The Scarlet Knights are 30-18 overall and 11-7 in the Big Ten. RU just swept Penn State at home and has won 15 of its last 18 games.
The Scarlet Knights will start RHP Christian Coppola on Friday and RHP Drew Conover on Saturday, with Sunday’s starter to be determined.
The first two games of the series will be streamed on B1G+, with Dom Savino (PxP) and Joe Godri (Analyst) on the call Friday. Dom Savino (PxP) and David Palumbo (Analyst) will call the action on Saturday. There will be no stream on Sunday.
Fans can also follow along on Twitter for live updates. Live stats will be available for all three games.
Promotions
- Friday: Vs. Cancer/Breast Cancer Awareness Day
- A breast cancer survivor will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch
- During the game, Rutgers baseball will be celebrating survivors and bringing awareness to the cause
- Saturday: Senior Day
- The program will honor its graduating seniors with a pregame ceremony at approximately 5:35 p.m.
Series History
Illinois holds a 9-4 advantage all-time against Rutgers, including an 8-4 mark in Big Ten play. The last meeting between the teams was in 2021, with RU taking two-of-three at Bainton Field.
In the Rankings
The Scarlet Knights lead the Big Ten in a number of key situational stats.
Their 48 doubles plays turned on defense are the best in the conference and the fourth-most in the country. The team’s 37 sacrifice bunts are also best in the Big Ten and rank 14th nationally, while their 35 sacrifice flies are the most in the Big Ten and the fourth-most sac flies in the country.
Additionally, RU’s four shutouts on the mound are the most in the conference.
Outfield: The Catalysts
The starting outfield for RU also makes up three of the top hitters in the lineup.
Ryan Lasko (.345), Evan Sleight (.314) and Trevor Cohen (.301) have been the starting outfield for all 48 games and combine to hit .320 as a unit.
Lasko leads the team with his 68 hits, 52 runs, 16 doubles, 47 RBIs, 15 stolen bases and is tied for the team lead with 11 home runs.
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