Illinois

Kentucky baseball vs Illinois score updates in NCAA regional bracket

Published

2 years ago

June 1, 2024

Kentucky baseball vs Illinois score updates in NCAA regional bracket

LEXINGTON — Kentucky baseball’s NCAA Tournament opener went its way Friday, as it topped Western Michigan, 10-8.

A far bigger challenge awaits Saturday: Illinois, which has won 30 of its past 39 games and captured the Big Ten’s regular-season title.

The Wildcats, league champions themselves after earning a share of the SEC’s regular-season title for the first time since 2006, will try to do what they couldn’t do last year: beat a Big Ten squad in the second game of a regional. After shutting out Ball State in its first outing, UK fell to Indiana in Game 2. Kentucky then had to win three consecutive games to clinch only its second Super Regional appearance ever.

And Saturday, the Wildcats and Fighting Illini will have to get their bodies ready earlier than anticipated: The contest was originally slated to start at 6 p.m., but potential inclement weather in the Lexington area moved up first pitch to 55 minutes after the conclusion of the Western Michigan/Indiana State game.

Now, the UK/Illinois matchup is scheduled to begin at approximately 4 p.m.

Get to the game: Want to buy Kentucky baseball tickets for the Lexington Regional? Here are your best options for 2024 NCAA Tournament

More: Watch Kentucky baseball vs. Illinois and the NCAA Lexington Regional on ESPN+

The Courier Journal’s Ryan Black is at Kentucky Proud Park and will have live updates throughout the game — here and on X, formerly known as Twitter — and complete coverage after. You can follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

What channel is Kentucky vs Illinois on today?

Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament regional game against Illinois will stream at approximately 4 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+.

You can watch the game on WatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or ESPN+. Authenticated subscribers can access ESPN+ via TV-connected devices. Those without access to ESPN+ can access the game via a subscription to ESPN+. (To sign up for ESPN+, click here.)

Kentucky vs Illinois start time

First pitch for Saturday’s game in Lexington is set for approximately 4 p.m. It will start 55 minutes after the completion of Saturday’s first game between Indiana State and Western Michigan.

Kentucky vs Illinois prediction

Kentucky 5, Illinois 4: On paper, this matchup is like splitting hairs. Illinois averages 8.2 runs per game; Kentucky is at 8.1. The expected starting pitchers, UK’s Trey Pooser and Illinois’ Cooper Omans, have nearly identical rates in hits allowed per nine innings (7.01 for Omans, 7.14 for Pooser) and walks + hits per innings pitched — better known by its acronym WHIP — that has Pooser (1.18) slightly ahead of Omans (1.24). When teams are this evenly matched, give the most infinitesimal of edges to the squad playing in its home venue. In this case, that’s the Wildcats, who escape with a one-run victory to improve to 2-0 at the regional.

Kentucky vs Illinois location

All games in the NCAA Tournament’s Lexington Regional will be held at UK’s home stadium, Kentucky Proud Park.

Kentucky baseball schedule 2024

Kentucky is 41-14 in 2024, including 22-8 in SEC play during the regular season. The Wildcats claimed a share of the league’s regular-season title for only the second time in school history.

Click here to see the Wildcats’ full 2024 schedule.

Illinois baseball schedule 2024

Illnois is 35-19, going 18-6 in the Big Ten during the regular season. The Fighting Illini won the Big Ten’s regular-season championship for the first time since 2015.

Click here to see the Fighting Illini’s full 2024 schedule.

Kentucky baseball roster

Interested in seeing the Wildcats’ entire roster?

Click here to meet the 2024 UK baseball team.

Illinois baseball roster

Want to learn Fighting Illini’s roster?

Click here for player bios and more.

NCAA Lexington regionals schedule

Here’s the slate for Saturday’s two games in the NCAA Lexington Regional:

Western Michigan vs. Indiana State, noon; Live stream: ESPN+; Stream: ESPN+
Kentucky vs. Illinois, approx. 4 p.m.; Live stream: ESPN+; Stream: ESPN+

NCAA Lexington regionals bracket

Here’s a look at every game set to take place during the Lexington Regional at Kentucky Proud Park:

Friday, May 31

Saturday, June 1

Game 3: Western Michigan vs. Indiana State, noon; Live stream: ESPN+; Stream: ESPN+
Game 4: Kentucky vs. Illinois, approx. 4 p.m.; Live stream: ESPN+; Stream: ESPN+

Sunday, June 2

Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, noon; TV: TBD
Game 6: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 4, 6 p.m.; TV: TBD

Monday, June 3 (if necessary)

Game 7: Same teams as Game 6, Time TBD; TV: TBD

2024 College World Series bracket

Interested in seeing the 64-team bracket for this year’s NCAA Tournament?

Click here to view it on the NCAA’s official website.

2024 NCAA baseball tournament odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM.

Kentucky has the fifth-best odds, at +1000, to win the College World Series, per BetMGM.

The four favorites to capture the title are four other SEC squads: Tennessee (+500), Texas A&M (+550), Arkansas (+900) and defending national champion LSU (+900).

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

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Illinois

Severe storms cause major damage to homes, schools and trees in central Illinois; thousands without power – IPM Newsroom

Published

9 hours ago

June 12, 2026

Press Room

Severe storms cause major damage to homes, schools and trees in central Illinois; thousands without power – IPM Newsroom

Updated Friday, June 12, 2026 at 12:00 a.m.

Heavy storms caused major damage to at least two school buildings in Vermilion County last night.

Joel Bird is the Director of the Vermilion County Emergency Management Agency. He said the damage is widespread.

“Danville has several homes with trees that have fallen near the garage or the home,” said Bird.

Mark Denman Elementary School in Danville lost its roof and that wasn’t all.

“Up in Hoopeston, there’s several spots where a tornado went through on the South side… some damage at the high school, east of town at the local bridge,” said Bird.

The Nutrien Plant also took a direct hit. Bird said as of late Thursday night, there are no reports of injuries or deaths.

The sounds of chainsaws will fill the air in many Champaign County communities on Friday.

Kandy Powell was at home around 7:30 Thursday night when a storm blew through east Urbana.

“But then the winds got really strong. And as you looked out the window you can see that the trees were kind of bowing down a little bit. And from there we heard a very large snap,” said Powell.

The large branch of one tree fell onto her driveway just missing the house. A branch from another tall, mature tree fell, blocking her street. Powell did not lose power, but thousands of people in Champaign-Urbana had a long wait to get the lights back on overnight.

Tree branch lying on East Washington Street in Urbana after severe storms on June 11, 2026. (IPM News)

Updated Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 8:30 p.m.

There are multiple reports of damage after severe storms passed through Champaign and Vermilion Counties on Thursday night. The National Weather Service issued Tornado Warning for Champaign County at 7:28 p.m.

As of 8:42 p.m., Ameren reports more than 78,000 customers have lost power. Thousands of homes and businesses in the Springfield, Champaign-Urbana and Danville areas do not have electricity. To report a downed power line, call 800.755.5000.

power outage map — Ameren Outage map at 8:42 p.m. on June 11, 2026

Below are some pictures of storm damage. This story will be updated through the evening.

large tree branch lying across driveway

Large tree branch lying across driveway in Urbana after storms on June 11, 2026.

tree damage — Tree damage in Champaign after storms on June 11, 2026. (IPM News)

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Illinois

‘Best Coffee Shop In Illinois,’ Social Butterfly’s 1-Year Anniversary Offers Joliet Block Party Festival

Published

19 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Press Room

‘Best Coffee Shop In Illinois,’ Social Butterfly’s 1-Year Anniversary Offers Joliet Block Party Festival

What are the most popular drinks on the menu?

“Any cold brews and cold foam combination,” Bosi explained. “And our sourdough sandwiches sell like crazy. When we first opened, we did not open with a focus on food.”

Since adding seven sourdough sandwiches to the regular menu, the most popular selections include the Golden Hour, Fresco Italiano, Sunrise Sausage, Garden Glow and the Spicy Social.

The address for Social Butterfly Coffee is 310 N. Ottawa St., now known as the 3TEN Building. Back in 2018, the Old Steelworkers Union Hall property was purchased and remodeled by Joliet businessman Cesar Cardenas, who now serves on the Joliet City Council.

The inside of Social Butterfly Coffee can accommodate around 75 people. There is plenty of seating, sofas, tables and chairs for people to relax, either by themselves or to strike up a conversation with someone else.

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Illinois

Thousands lose power during overnight severe weather

Published

1 day ago

June 11, 2026

Press Room

Thousands lose power during overnight severe weather

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – Thousands of people lost power late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning as severe storms moved across Central Illinois.

At 12:30 Thursday morning, PowerOutage.com reported the following counties with outages in Central Illinois.

Sangamon County – 12,500
Menard County – 2,500
Piatt County – 1,200
Macon County – 1,100
Cass County – 700
Vermilion County – 600
Piatt County – 300

Strong storms produced several tornado warnings Wednesday night and early Thursday. As of midnight, there have been no confirmed tornadoes but some severe storms were producing high winds and heavy rains. NWS Lincoln received reports of spotted tornados, but any surveys wouldn’t start until daylight Thursday.

The National Weather Service in Lincoln was getting reports of downed trees in several counties.

The EMA Director in Sangamon County reported trees down along several streets. Public Works crews were being called in to remove them from the road. Drivers should use caution if driving at night as down trees may be hard to see.

The Macon County EMA reported downed trees in Maroa, Argenta, and Orena. There were no reported injuries from the storms in that county.

Viewer pictures to WAND News showed trees and power lines down along Taintor Road in Springfield near Turasky Meats.

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