Baseball Game Preview: Illini West Chargers vs. Astoria/VIT Rebels

Illini West is a perfect 5-0 against Astoria/VIT since May of 2015 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Monday. The Chargers will look to defend their home field against the Rebels at 4:30 p.m. The timing is sure in Illini West's favor as the team sits on 13 straight wins at home (dating back to last season) while Astoria/VIT has been banged up by 11 consecutive losses on the road also dating back to last season.

On Saturday, Illini West came up short against Bishop McNamara and fell 9-6.

Wesley Robertson

Earned Runs

04/12/25 vs Bishop McNamara	1
04/12/25 @ Pleasant Plains	0
04/08/25 vs Quincy	1
03/31/25 @ Liberty	1

Wesley Robertson put in work no matter where he played. On the mound, he tossed two innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 1-for-3.

Robertson wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Nick Johnson, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Meanwhile, Astoria/VIT came up short against Farmington on Saturday, falling 19-4.

Illini West's defeat dropped their record down to 11-2. As for Astoria/VIT, their loss dropped their record down to 0-9.

Astoria/VIT's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Illini West has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .449. It's a different story for Astoria/VIT, though, as they've only averaged .305. Will they be able to contain Illini West's hitters?

Everything went Illini West's way against Astoria/VIT when the teams last played back in April of 2024, as Illini West made off with a 15-0 win. Will the Chargers repeat their success, or do the Rebels have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.