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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – The Illinois baseball team is preparing for an exciting start to their 2026 season.
The Illini will kick off their regular season in the sunny state of Florida, facing off against USF on Friday, February 13. However, they’ll make an early return to Champaign for a swift home debut.
The team has scheduled their home opener against Butler for Tuesday, February 17. This addition to the lineup comes as favorable weather forecasts suggested a rare opportunity to play in Illinois earlier than usual.
“At 59 degrees, it might be warmer than March,” remarked Dan Hartleb, the head coach of Illinois baseball, regarding the decision to slot in this game.
Coach Hartleb also mentioned that the Illini are considering adding more early-season mid-week home games, provided the weather continues to cooperate.
It’s an Illinois baseball team which features 18 new players and a new pitching coach. Hartleb believes the best thing his team can do now is get real, live, in-game reps.
“Players listen, but they think they’re ready. So next week will be a huge teaching week for us because we want to find out who’s ready and who needs to make major adjustments,” Hartleb said.
“I’ve been pretty impressed with how this squad is kind of come together,” Illinois senior Will Johannes said. “We’re a team that has gotten very close knit very quickly. I think guys know their roles really well so far and know what they have to do to be in that role.”
Illinois finished 30-24 in 2025 after winning the Big Ten in 2024.