BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The stakes won't be nearly as high as the last time Illinois and Indiana met on the baseball field.

But when the Illini and Hoosiers renew a steadily intensifying rivalry this weekend, Illinois won't lack an incentive.

   CHAMPAIGN  Craig Marquie and T.J. Jackson supplied the power as the Illinois baseball team swept a doubleheader from Western Illinois Wednesday afternoon at Illinois Field.

   Marquie''s three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning of the first game put Illinois up 8-4 on its way to an 8-5 win.

   CHAMPAIGN  Dusty Rhodes raised his confidence level as well as his batting average in the weekend series against Michigan State.

   "I don''t think I''ve ever had a series like this," the University of Illinois junior centerfielder said Sunday after stoking three hits and driving in two runs in a 10-5 victory over the Spartans.

CHAMPAIGN – Pitching depth is a must for a team to contend for a Big Ten Conference baseball championship.

Junior transfers Tim Zidlicky and Brian Funk put in their bids to supply that depth Wednesday as the University of Illinois opened their home season at Illinois Field with a doubleheader sweep of Western Michigan.

EDINBURG, Texas – The University of Illinois baseball team got its first win of the season on Sunday, scoring three runs in the ninth inning for a 6-3 victory over host Texas-Pan American.

The Illini opened the season with three losses against the Broncs.

   CHAMPAIGN  When we last saw the University of Illinois baseball team, the expressions were serious, the mood somber.

   As the Illini walked off Beaver Field in State College, Pa., on May 19, 1996, it was with the realization they had fallen one victory short of a Big Ten Conference playoff title. One day later, their worst suspicions were confirmed: Failing to win the playoffs also meant no invitation to the NCAA tournament.

   CHAMPAIGN  The spring weekends will be busy for Tim Lavery. That''s just the way he wants it.

   The University of Illinois freshman won''t be hard to spot. He''ll be the one walking from Illinois Field to Memorial Stadium carrying a bag full of gear.