The Illinois baseball team is set to open its home slate this weekend against Northwestern on Friday. The game on Friday will be the first at Illinois Field in 388 days.

Illinois (6-6) is coming off a four-game weekend split in Ann Arbor which they faced No. 13 Michigan and Michigan State for two games apiece. The Illini won their games on Friday and Sunday and dropped both ends of the doubleheader on Saturday.

Sophomore SS Branden Comia had a strong weekend at the plate. Comia went 7-for-13 with two doubles, two RBIs and four runs scored. He currently has a career-long 30-game on-base streak dating back to May 18, 2019 at Michigan State.

With this being the first three-game series of the season, the Illini have to make an adjustment to their weekend rotation. Sophomore RHP Andrew Hoffmann will get the ball on Friday, while Saturday will be sophomore RHP Ty Rybarczyk and freshman LHP Cole Kirschsieper will go to the hill on Sunday.

At this time, no fans are permitted in accordance with the local health department, campus, and Division of Intercollegiate Athletics COVID-19 operations restrictions. Two direct family members for each Illinois student-athlete will be allowed this weekend. The current policy will continue to be evaluated as the spring season goes along.