The Illinois baseball team begins its 2-22 season today with a trip to Corpus Christi, Texas. The Illini are scheduled to play a three-game series against Kansas at Whataburger Field.

This season, the team has 24 players returning from the 2021 roster and welcomes 13 newcomers. Four of the 13 newcomers are transfers.

The four newcomer transfers are OF Tyler Thompson, RHP Johnny Czeslawski  from North Iowa C.C., RHP Tommy Green from Mercer, and RHP Jack Wenninger from Murray State.

The Illini offense ranked first in the Big Ten last year in team batting average (.276) and hits (411). Additionally, Illinois was third in runs per game (6.6) and third in runs (290). 

Illinois has had the Big Ten regular season batting champion the last three full seasons with  DH/1B Justin Janas taking the 2021 honors. Grant Van Scoy was the 2019 batting champ and Bren Spillane won it in 2018.

Illinois finished the season 22-22 and seventh in the Big Ten in 2021. Illinois has finished at or above .500 in 16-of-17 seasons under head coach Dan Hartleb.

Sophomore left-hander Cole Kirschsieper will get the start for the Illini on Friday. Kirschsieper went 3-4 overall in 2021 with a 5.82 ERA in 38.2 innings. The Frankfort, Illinois native is the No. 4 left-handed pitching prospect out of the Big Ten for the 2022 MLB draft. 

Janas and C/OF Jacob Campbell were Perfect Game Preseason All-Big Ten selections. 

Illinois will send sophomore righty Jack Wenninger to the mound for Saturday's contest, followed by sophomore LHP Payton Hutchings for the series finale on Sunday.