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Nittany Lions Head to Champaign for Crucial Matchup (Series Preview)

Penn State (13-9, 1-2 Big Ten) at Illinois (11-12, 2-1 Big Ten)

Big Ten Rank: Penn State (#8) at Illinois (#7)

Dates: March 29-31

Times: 7:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 3:00 PM

Coverage


Storylines

Nittany Lions Enjoy Their Third-Largest Crowd in History

Over 3,000 fans showed up to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for Tuesday as Penn State took down in-state rival Pittsburgh, 10-1, with over 5,000 hot dogs being consumed in the process. Even though it was a midweek Tuesday game, it sets a great precedent for the type of home-field atmosphere the Nittany Lions can have once the weather gets warmer.


Drake Westcott Gets Second Big Ten Weekly Honor of the Season

First baseman Drake Westcott won Big Ten Player of the Week for the second time in his redshirt junior campaign with the Illini. In 4 games, he posted a .400 batting average, hit 1 home run, and drove in 6 runs.


Numbers Tell The Story

Penn State

Offense

Illinois

.291

Batting Average

.252

.402

On-Base Pct

.360

19

Home Runs

31

35-54-46

Run Splits (F-S-S)

34-22-36


Penn State

Defense

Illinois

5.78

Earned Run Avg

6.35

.262

Opponent Batting Avg

.264

160

Strikeouts

202

118

Walks

108


Illini Hold Significant Advantage (Source: Baseball History Penn State Athletics)

Penn State is 17-29 against Illinois all-time. Penn State last played Illinois from May 19-21, 2022, being swept at home (Illinois outscored Penn State, 32-14). Penn State's last win over Illinois was on May 23, 2021 (13-4 on the road). Penn State last won a series over Illinois from May 11-13, 2012 (Series sweep, Penn State outscored Illinois, 14-10 at home).


Probable Starting Pitchers

Penn State (Starters) [Weekend Starter ERA: 6.04]

  1. #33 RHP Travis Luensmann, Sr. (2-1, 4.23 ERA)

  2. #24 RHP Jaden Henline, Sr. (2-0, 10.31 ERA)

  3. #20 RHP Frankie Sanchez, Jr. (1-0, 1.46 ERA)

Penn State (In the Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 5.84]

  • #30 LHP Anthony Steele, Jr. (10 app, 16 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP)

  • #10 RHP Ben DeMell, R-So. (12 app, 14 IP, 6.43 ERA, 2 sv)

  • Closer: #15 RHP David Lee, Sr. (11 app, 4.26 ERA, 3-4 sv/opp)

Illinois (Starters) [Weekend Starter ERA: 5.71]

  1. #39 RHP Jack Crowder, Sr. (2-1, 5.23 ERA)

  2. #27 LHP Cooper Omans, Gr. (2-1, 2.28 ERA)

  3. #16 RHP Jake Swartz, So. (1-0, 3.46 ERA)

Illinois (In the Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 7.79]

  • #19 RHP Korey Bunselmeyer, Sr. (8 app, 10 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.90 WHIP)

  • #9 LHP Regan Hall, Fr. (5 app, 7.1 IP, 3.68 ERA, 1 sv)

  • Closer: #20 Joe Glassey, R-Sr. (9 app, 7.07 ERA, 1 sv)


Top Hitters/Runners

Penn State (5.83|9.00|7.67 Runs per Game)

  1. #40 DH/C J.T. Marr, Gr. (.433 avg, 1 hr, 21 rbi)

  2. Batted 3rd or 4th in every game.

  3. #12 RF Adam Cecere, Gr. (.586 slugging pct, 5 hr, 15 rbi)

  4. Batted 2nd or 4th in each of his last 11 starts.

  5. # 2 2B/1B Kyle Hannon, Sr. (.200 avg, .301 obp, 10-12 sb/att)

  6. Batted 9th in each of his last 5 starts.

Illinois (5.67|3.67|6.00 Runs per Game)

  1. #17 C/LF Camden Janik, Jr. (.341 avg, 4 hr, 17 rbi)

  2. Batted 3rd in all but two games.

  3. #34 1B Drake Westcott, R-Jr. (.270 avg, 7 hr, 19 rbi)

  4. Batted 4th in his last 9 starts.

  5. #25 OF Cameron Chee-Aloy, Fr. (.288 avg, .406 obp, 4-5 sb/att)

  6. Batted 1st in his last 8 starts.


Computer-Generated Game Lines (BPSportsbook)

*NOT for money reasons. The lines below are based off of a computer model.

Friday: ILL -3 | O/U: 11.5

Saturday: ILL -1.5 | O/U: 12.5

Sunday: ILL -1.5 | O/U: 11.5


Game Promotions (Illinois Field, Champaign, IL)

Friday: Food Truck Friday

Saturday: Baseball Sports/Movie Day

Sunday: Dog Days, Easter


Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

Bryan: Illinois draws great crowds to their ballpark, and home-field advantage surely shows, however each week is an opportunity for growth for Penn State. I think the Nittany Lions will keep up their Tuesday momentum with a series win. Penn State 2, Illinois 1.

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