Baseball Game Preview: Illinois vs. UW-Milwaukee

The Illinois Fighting Illini baseball team (8-4) opens their home schedule today at 3pm CT, when they face the UW-Milwaukee Panthers (4-10) at Illinois Field.

Starting on the mound for the Illini is sophomore right-hander Cyrillo Watson, who has an 0-1 record and a 4.05 era through two starts so far in this young 2018 season (3 strikeouts, 7 walks, 3 earned runs). The Panthers will send the lefty Alex Fischer to the mound to start in today’s ballgame. Fischer has a 1-1 record with a 5.40 era.

Illinois has won seven of their last eight contests across four roadtrips so far this season, including wins over the Arizona Wildcats and the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (both are ranked in the Top 25). Thanks to their production at the plate, the Illini have averaged 6.5 runs per game with a total of 88 hits and 9 home runs.

Doran Turchin was named Big Ten Player of the week last week after his performance against the Michigan State Spartans and the Furman Paladins at the First Pitch Invitational in South Carolina. Turchin batted .625 with 5 hits and 7 walks across 15 total plate appearances. Both Turchin and Michael Massey have been named “Big Ten Player of the Week” this season, with Illini holding that title in back to back weeks.

Every game played at Illinois Field this season is FREE ADMISSION to fans, so we highly encourage you to swing on by this afternoon! If you’re stuck in class or in the office, you can stream every Illinois home game on BTN2GO (with a paid subscription). Live stream of the radio broadcast (courtesy of FightingIllini.com) can be found HERE.

GO ILLINI!