It’s finally here! Little Illini Conference baseball and softball play begins this week. The seven-game slate opens on Monday, Apr. 13 and concludes four weeks later on Monday, May 11. Weather-permitting, games will be played on Mondays and Thursdays, with a couple of make-up dates built into the schedule. Each baseball and softball game will be hosted by the same school.
In baseball, the early-season standings have favored the Newton Eagles. The defending league champions are off to a 12-1 start, and are ranked 34th overall in the state (all divisions), according to Max Preps. The Eagles haven’t lost since Opening Day (March 19), a 19-9 loss at Mascoutah (11-0 and ranked 23rd).
There are two other LIC teams with winning records heading into conference play. Mt. Carmel is 6-3, while Paris is 7-4. Robinson is dead-even at the .500 mark, with a 6-6 mark.
Softball is another matter altogether. The LIC has been crazy-good in the lead-up to conference play. Seven teams sport not just winning records, but above-.600-winning records. Three teams are state-ranked, according to the Illinois Coaches Association: Casey-Westfield is No. 1 in Class 1A, with Mt. Carmel (No. 11) and Marshall (No. 16) ranked in Class 2A. As a whole, the LIC is 76-24 (.760) in non-conference play.
Casey-Westfield is 19-1 already, but Mt. Carmel is still unbeaten at 10-0. Marshall (10-1) was also perfect until the Lady Lions fell 2-0 to Edgewood, Ind. (7-1) on Saturday at a tournament at Terre Haute South Vigo
Just how good is the LIC? Last year, Casey-Westfield finished third in the Class 1A state tournament in Peoria, yet the Lady Warriors managed only a third-place finish in the final league standings, behind co-champs Mt. Carmel and Newton.
So, away we go. Head to the ballpark and support your favorite Little Illini team and school. And, the best of fortune to all athletes and teams!
Here is the Little Illini Conference game schedule for baseball and softball. Note: All game times are listed as 4:30 p.m. CDT.
Monday, Apr. 13
Casey-Westfield at Lawrenceville
Marshall at Robinson
Mt. Carmel at Paris
Olney at Newton
Thursday, Apr. 16
Lawrenceville at Olney
Newton at Mt. Carmel
Paris at Marshall
Robinson at Casey-Westfield
Monday, Apr. 20
Marshall at Newton
Mt. Carmel at Lawrenceville
Paris at Robinson
Olney at Casey-Westfield
Thursday, Apr. 23
Casey-Westfield at Mt. Carmel
Lawrenceville at Marshall
Newton at Paris
Robinson at Olney
Thursday, Apr. 30
Marshall at Casey-Westfield
Mt. Carmel at Olney
Newton at Robinson
Paris at Lawrenceville
Monday, May 4
Casey-Westfield at Paris
Lawrenceville at Newton
Mt. Carmel at Robinson
Olney at Marshall
Monday, May 11
Marshall at Mt. Carmel
Newton at Casey-Westfield
Paris at Olney
Robinson at Lawrenceville
