BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Fresh off of a non-conference victory last night, the Illinois Wesleyan University baseball team will continue College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin action with a key home series against Wheaton College, Friday, April 20. The doubleheader, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, has been moved up a day due to the predicted brisk temperatures. Before Friday's action, IWU's four seniors will be honored. The team will then head to Beloit, Wis. for a non-conference game, Sunday, April 23. Friday's first pitch at Horenberger Field is set for 3 p.m., while Sunday's action will begin at 12 p.m.

The Illinois Wesleyan baseball program will recognize seniors Jalen Ping (Chatham, Ill.-Glenwood), Thomas Bleker (Lombard, Ill.-Glenbard West), Ethan Burgh (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Prospect), and Blake Niebrugge (Watson, Ill.-Effingham St. Anthony) before Friday's doubleheader for their dedication and accomplishments during their time at IWU.

Entering the busy weekend, the Green and White own a record of 11-18 (4-6 CCIW). Wheaton currently sits at 14-15 (6-6 CCIW), while Beloit, who is scheduled to play Rockford University tonight and Carroll University Saturday, have generated an impressive 21-8 record. 

IWU last took to the diamond yesterday for a non-conference contest against Eureka College. The Titans welcomed the 11-1, run-rule victory as sophomore Tristan Figus (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Buffalo Grove) had a career-day at the dish as he recorded five RBI. Wheaton, who also played last night, dropped a close contest to #11 Aurora University, 7-4. Additionally, Beloit split a Midwest Conference twinbill against Lawrence University, by winning the first game, yesterday, by final scores of 12-5 and 9-5, respectively.

Tomorrow's game one against Wheaton will mark the 100th all-time meeting between the two CCIW foes. IWU owns the commanding, 70-29, all-time series advantage that is due in large part to an 18-game winning streak from April 4, 2000-April 1, 2006. However, the Thunder swept last year's two-game season series by scores of 15-4 and 12-10. On the flip side, the Titans and Buccaneers do not have a long standing series history. The two have only played each other on seven occasions, with IWU coming out victorious in the first six matchups. Beloit got in the win column when the two last met, March 10, 2000, in Auburndale, Fla. by a final tally of 8-0.

In the Green and White's 29 games, the team is leading the CCIW with a .313 team batting average, with North Central College (.309) and Wheaton (.304) also hitting above the .300 clip. 

Individually, IWU has a trio hitting above .400. Junior Louis Perona (Chicago, Ill.-Lane Tech) tops the team with his .418 batting average, while Ping has manufactured a .403 average, and Figus sits right at the .400 mark. 

Perona, who has started all 29 games at either left field or designated hitter, leads IWU with his 29 RBI, 1.087 OPS, .591 slugging percentage, and 15 walks. The Chicago, Ill. native ranks second on the team with 32 runs scored, 46 hits, nine doubles, and 65 total bases. Perona's 23 stolen bases are tied for first in the league, while his .418 batting average ranks fourth in the CCIW.

Ping, who has also started all 29 games, tops with the Titans with 119 at-bats, 37 runs scored, 48 hits, 14 doubles, and 70 total bases. Ping sits atop the CCIW with his 14 doubles and ranks tied for first in runs scored. 

After a slow start to the year, Figus is enjoying a very solid second half, having appeared in 22 games, while starting 12. Figus ranks third on the team with his .967 OPS and has whacked five two-baggers to go along with 12 RBI.

On the bump, sophomore Dalen Banks (Springfield, Ill.-Springfield) leads the Green and White in every statistical category, owns an impressive 5-1 record. Banks has struck out 45 hitters and sports a 2.70 ERA. Freshman Luke Costello (Downers Grove, Ill.-Downers Grove South), freshman Jake Pullam (Palatine, Ill.-Palatine), freshman Nathan Waterman (Downers Grove, Ill.-Downers Grove South), sophomore Lukas Wenz (Naperville, Ill.-Neuqua Valley), junior Jacob Cyrus (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard South), and senior Will Jackson (Glenview, Ill.-Loyola Academy) have all logged a win on the mound this season.

Live stats and a live video feed will be available for all three games. Friday's live stats can be found here, while the live video can be accessed here. Sunday's live stats will be made available here, while the live video can be found by clicking here.