Illinois manager Dan Hartleb addressed the media on Monday morning to preview the team's season-opening series against the No. 19 Tulane Green Waves. The skipper announced that Illinois' starting rotation for the weekend will consist of junior RHP Cody Sedlock, sophomore LHP Doug Hayes, and senior RHP Andrew Mamlic.
Sedlock, the ace of the staff, is one of the top MLB prospects in the Midwest, and he was recently named a 'Player to Watch' by the Big Ten Conference. In 2015, the six-foot-four righty went 4-0 with a 4.02 ERA.
Both Hayes and Mamlic will be making their first career starts for the Orange and Blue this week after appearing as relievers a year ago.
Press Conference Notes
- Hartleb noted that four different freshmen are battling to replace Will Krug in CF. He said that, despite the inexperience, Illinois will have 'great speed' in the outfield.
- Jason Goldstein, Adam Walton, J.D. Nielsen, Cody Sedlock, and Pat McInerny have evidently stepped up to fill leadership roles.
- Hartleb commented on rise of the Big Ten Conference
Illinois' three-game series against Tulane will take place February 19-21. From New Orleans, the team will then travel to Fort Meyers for another three-game set against Florida Golf Coast before returning home.