Illinois shortstop Ben Troike laces a double against Indiana (Aaron Fitt)

Illinois Answers The Bell

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Ben Troike might have the best job in college baseball: He’s the guy who gets to hit in front of national OPS leader Bren Spillane, one of the most fearsome sluggers in the country.

“I get a lot of fastballs,” said Troike, a sophomore shortstop for Illinois. “That kid is unbelievable.”

So when Troike worked the count full against Indiana ace Jonathan Stiever in the sixth, with the Hoosiers leading 2-1, he knew what to expect, and he was ready for it.

“That at-bat, obviously with a guy like Bren Spillane behind me,[…]