Lions, Fighting Illini Set for Midweek Clash

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Interstat) — The Lindenwood Lions and Illinois Fighting Illini meet in a nonconference midweek baseball game Wednesday evening, each looking to build momentum after contrasting weekend series.

The visiting Lions (4-3) enter having split a four-game set with Saint Thomas (Minn.), capped by a 6-0 shutout victory Saturday. Illinois (3-4) arrives off an offensive explosion, routing Coastal Carolina 14-5 on Sunday to salvage a 1-2 weekend that included two tight losses to VCU.

A key matchup will feature Lindenwood’s pitching against Illinois’s resurgent bats. Lions right-hander Seth Benes is coming off a dominant performance, throwing seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in Saturday’s win. He will be tasked with cooling off Illinois first baseman AJ Putty, who drove in seven runs on a 5-for-6 day that included a home run against Coastal Carolina. Putty’s big game snapped an 0-for-7 skid from the previous two contests.

Lindenwood has shown pitching depth, with Lucas Niemeyer providing two scoreless relief innings Saturday and Will Geary adding three hits from the top of the order. The Lions’ season has been marked by inconsistency, however, following a series split at Arkansas-Pine Bluff to open the year.

Illinois’s bullpen found stability Sunday behind Kyle Remington, who recorded 11 outs without allowing a hit. Designated hitter Will Johannes also homered and drove in three runs in the rout, providing support behind Putty.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the contest is projected to be a narrow 5-4 victory for the visiting Lions.

Following Wednesday’s game, Lindenwood begins a four-game home series with Northern Illinois on Friday. Illinois travels to Greenville, South Carolina, for a weekend tournament, facing Michigan State on Friday.