Illinois righty Jack Wenninger (Photo by Andy Wenstrand / Illinois Athletics)

Granger’s Midwest Notebook: Early Impressions Of Illinois, Youngstown State

Analysis Burke Granger - February 23, 2023

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Fighting Illini split on opening weekend, beating Youngstown State twice and dropping a pair to #6 Wake Forest. The Penguins went winless on the weekend but had a few standout performances and showed flashes of being a team that could compete in the Horizon League this year. Here are notes on a few players from each program that stood out:

Illinois

Riley Gowens | RHP – Gowens’ season got off to an inauspicious start on Friday, as he walked the first two hitters he faced and then allowed an infield single to load the bases with nobody[…]