Got a call from Illinois College skipper Jay Eckhouse Tuesday night. He wanted to remind us that his baseball team will be playing the University of Illinois this week in Champaign. In case anyone would like to drive over and see the game.

Immediately, I start angling for the story.

“So how many runs you gonna beat ‘em by?” I ask Eckhouse.

“Excuse me?”

“How bad are you guys gonna beat the U of I?”

Eckhouse picks up on my angle, but doesn’t take the bait. “We’re gonna show up and play hard,” he says, chuckling.

“And in doing so, you’re gonna beat them by how many runs?” I ask again.

Seriously, though, the IC baseball squad is no laughingstock — especially not to Division III and Midwest Conference foes. The Blueboys currently sport a 12-5 overall record and sit atop the MWC’s South Division, at 3-1. They’re one run away from being undefeated in league play, after splitting a twin bill with arch-rival Monmouth on April 5, winning 4-3 and losing 9-8. This Saturday, IC will host the Fighting Scots for a pair of crucial nine-inning games.

Eckhouse and his troops would really like your support. And they do deserve it. Maybe you’re more a fan of the high school scene. That’s fine. Several of IC’s players, most notably Clint Wherley (Beardstown) and Jared Thoele (Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin) were stars on the high school scene a short time ago. Now they’re part of a Blueboy program that’s stayed pretty solid under Eckhouse, but is still reaching for its first outright MWC title.

In other words, there’s plenty of room on this bandwagon, and the ride could be a lot of fun. Climb aboard.

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