Baseball

Andrew Linnehan

 

 

RHP Ben Reeser (3-0, 2.30 ERA) anchors a staff that has the Illini knocking on the door of a Top 25 ranking.

1. ILLINOIS (17-5, 3-0) - The only undefeated team in conference play, the 26th-ranked Illini swept Michigan State on BTN over the weekend. U of I is perfectly blending together lights-out pitching with timely hitting lately, and looks to crack the top 25 this weekend versus Indiana. 

2. OHIO STATE (21-5, 2-1) - Took 2 of 3 from Penn State after last week’s 7-1 victory over #2 Miami IN Miami… How ’bout it. Can’t wait for this weekend’s series in the MetroDome against Minnesota.

3. MINNESOTA (14-8, 2-1) - Probably a bit generous to slot the Gophers at 3, but they’re playing good baseball and it shows in the standings. Plus, Minny is leading the conference in team ERA (4.06 through Wednesday), and you know what pitching does. It wins championships.

4. MICHIGAN (17-8, 2-1) - Probably lower than they should be ranked with a 17-8 overall record, but quite frankly, this team is not performing up to its potential. After only mustering three runs against Bowling Green, maybe yesterday’s 9-run fifth inning against Oakland sparked an offense that needs to wake up.

5. PURDUE (10-11, 1-1) - I’ll overlook Saturday’s 13-4 loss to Northwestern, because the Boilers had won five straight prior, but PU didn’t stand for Purdue University yesterday, it was what the Boilers smelled like after a 22-19 loss to IPFW. Interesting series against Iowa is next on the B10 slate, we’ll see if the pitching staff can rebound.

6. PENN STATE (15-11, 1-2) - Dropped two of three to Ohio State in its B10 opener and slipped up against Kent State yesterday, 4-3. If it weren’t for the Nits’ six-game win streak prior to last weekend, the State Collegians would probably find themselves a bit lower. PSU needs a spurt here soon, as it’s hanging on by a very thin thread.

7. IOWA (10-13, 1-2) - Dropped two of three to the most talented team in the conference (Michigan) last weekend, but all three games could’ve gone either way. At the moment, the Hawks are playing much better than their record indicates.

8. INDIANA (10-15, 1-1) - Split a twin bill with a Minnesota team that is playing inspired ball of late. Performed very well in its midweek affairs on Tuesday and Wednesday, which tells me the Hoosiers are primed to make a run up these Rankings sooner rather than later.

9. NORTHWESTERN (5-17, 1-1) - The Wildcats split a two-game set with a solid Purdue squad last weekend. Narrowly lost the first 4-3 before pounding the Boilers 13-4 in Game Two. Northwestern historically has abysmal non-conference campaigns before inexplicably finding success in the Big Ten. NU will have to improve all facets of its game (last in team hitting, second-to-last in team pitching) to get going, and maybe the Purdue split is a start.

10. MICHIGAN STATE (8-17, 0-3) - Only winless team in Big Ten play. Get on the board, then we’ll start talking about a place outside the cellar.