{"id":157408,"date":"2026-02-16T18:05:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T18:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/157408\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T18:05:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T18:05:11","slug":"illini-lose-season-opening-series-in-tampa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/157408\/","title":{"rendered":"Illini lose season-opening series in Tampa"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a long offseason, Illinois<\/a> (1-2) took the diamond in Tampa, Florida, to begin the 2026 campaign. The Illini\u2019s first test came in the form of the USF Bulls<\/a> (2-1), who opened their season at home against a Big Ten school for the second year in a row.<\/p>\n

A series of ups and downs eventually ended in USF taking two out of three games from Illinois. Here are the main takeaways from the weekend.<\/p>\n

Big innings cost Illini<\/p>\n

College baseball is known for having high-scoring affairs and long innings, and Illinois is no exception. Both of those were on display this weekend in Tampa.<\/p>\n

Head coach Dan Hartleb<\/a> placed emphasis on defense as a big reason why the Illini played well in 2024. However, the Illini gave away a ton of games in 2025 because the defense was not as good.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 2024, we had six errors up the middle,\u201d Hartleb said in media availability Wednesday. \u201cLast year, I think we had 30 to 31 errors up the middle, and you don\u2019t win in those situations.\u201d<\/p>\n

While errors were not the sole reason for why USF cashed in two big innings on Friday, they were a helping hand. After two hits led to two Bulls runs, senior right-hander Ben Plumley<\/a> was pulled from the game, and things snowballed from there.<\/p>\n

A throwing error by senior second baseman Jack Zebig<\/a> allowed a third run to score on what could\u2019ve been a double play. Then, in the seventh inning of a one-run game, Bulls freshman third baseman Jack Lutz<\/a> laid down a bunt. Senior right-hander Mitch Dye<\/a> threw the ball away, later leading to four more runs crossing the plate.<\/p>\n

In Sunday\u2019s finale, another fielding error put runners on first and second with nobody out in the sixth inning, and the Bulls rallied to score four runs following that. A three-run eighth inning put them ahead of the Illini for good.<\/p>\n

When there\u2019s a Will, there\u2019s a way<\/p>\n

Both teams entered a standstill in the second game and needed the tenth inning to decide a winner. The Illini needed a spark, and they needed it fast, or they would risk falling behind 2-0 in the weekend series.<\/p>\n

Hartleb turned to the bench, calling senior catcher Will Johannes<\/a>\u2019 name. He stepped up to the plate, saw a good 1-1 pitch, and sent it over the wall in left field. It stunned the USF crowd and gave Illinois a 4-2 lead that it would not relinquish.<\/p>\n

Johannes placed an emphasis on the mental aspect in the offseason, stating that he put pressure on himself to perform last spring. He says that playing summer ball helped him find mental strength, which he carried into fall ball.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know you\u2019re going to be there every day,\u201d Johannes said in media availability Wednesday. \u201cIt just kind of comes as whatever happens, happens, and that\u2019s really helped me and turned a new perspective into the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Mukwonago, Wisconsin native finished the weekend with six RBIs and is well on track to overtake his total of 16 from 2025.<\/p>\n

Midweek matinee ahead<\/p>\n

The Illini will come back home for an early home game against the Butler Bulldogs<\/a> (1-2) Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m CST.<\/p>\n

With the weather forecast looking nice this week, Hartleb wanted to schedule a home game in the early phase of the season. He is also looking to schedule another one for Feb. 24.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe more we play, the more it forces us to get some guys on the field that maybe wouldn\u2019t this early,\u201d Hartleb said in media availability. \u201cSome guys are going to have to go out and throw one inning and come back on shorter rest, and it\u2019d be a good test for not only the pitchers, but the entire team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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