Issue date: 4/14/09 Section: Sports

Senior second baseman Jordan Tokarz watches home plate as he leads off third base during the Panthers' home game against Indiana State on April 8 at Coaches Stadium. Eastern plays at Illinois today at 6 p.m. (Audrey Sawyer/The Daily Eastern News)

Eastern head baseball coach Jim Schmitz usually uses his midweek games to get players in who do not see a lot of action on the weekends, and to make sure his players are fresh while still giving his team its best shot to win.

Tuesday in Champaign, Schmitz will take that same mentality but knows the game means much more than that.

"It is a big game," said Schmitz, whose Panthers will take on the 21-8 Illini at 6 p.m.

The Panthers beat Illinois 13-3 last season in a game played at Grimes Field in Mattoon. Schmitz said a lot of the players on his team know players on the Illini squad and he does not have to say much to get them hyped for this game.

"The Illinois game I say less than I ever do," he said. "The guys are pumped up to begin with."

The Illini have been successful early on this season, and are currently 6-3 in the Big Ten, a half-game out of first place. They are led offensively by junior shortstop Brandon Wikoff, who is hitting .412 with 12 extra-base hits through 29 games. Seven Illini are hitting better than .300 on the season.

They will send sophomore southpaw Phil Haig to the hill against the Panthers. Haig started last season's game and lasted only one inning, giving up three runs on two hits and three walks. He is 3-2 with a 3.92 ERA this season.

The Panthers will counter with senior right-hander Brian Morrell to take on the hot-hitting Illini lineup.

Morrell is 3-1 with a 5.40 ERA on the season in 14 appearances, including two starts.

The status of senior center fielder Brett Nommensen, who sat out the last two games of last weekend's series against Tennessee Martin with an undisclosed injury, is still not known.

Schmitz said he was day-to-day and they would know his availability against the Illini after seeing the athletic trainer Monday.

The Panthers return home Wednesday for a non-conference game against Blackburn College at 3 p.m.

The game kicks off a 10-game home stand for the Panthers that includes a three-game series with Ohio Valley Conference favorite Jacksonville State this Saturday and Sunday.



Collin Whitchurch can be reached at 581-7944 or cfwhitchurch@eiu.edu.

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