The Illinois baseball team begins its season on Friday with a trip to Winston-Salem, N.C. The Illini are scheduled to play four games in three days, with a doubleheader vs. Akron on Friday before taking on No. 1 Wake Forest on Saturday and Fordham on Sunday.

This season, the team has 21 players returning from the 2023 roster and welcomes 16 newcomers. Nine of the 16 newcomers are transfers.

The Illini return 72 percent (64/89) of their home run production to the team this year. Illinois returns one All-Big Ten selection in Ryan Moerman - a 2nd selection.

Right-hander Jack Crowder will take the mound for the Illini in the season opener, with lefty Cooper Omans getting the ball in the second game of Friday's twin bill. Right-hander Logan Tabeling will get the ball on Saturday and Sunday's starter is to be announced.

Saturday's contest will be the first time since 2020 that the Illini face the No. 1 ranked team in the country. Illinois went 3-3 overall against ranked opponents last season.