EAST LANSING- Michigan State baseball is set to return to McLane Stadium this weekend for its first Big Ten home weekend series against the Illinois Fighting Illini.  

The Spartans enter this series with the Fighting Illini with a 16-8 record and a 3-3 record in Big Ten play. MSU is coming off a 9-6 loss to Notre Dame in South Bend. 

The Spartans have been led this season by sophomore infielder Ryan McKay. McKay leads the Spartans with 32 hits and 25 runs. Redshirt senior infielder Sam Busch has also led the charge for MSU this season. Busch leads MSU in home runs with seven on the season.  

Illinois comes to East Lansing with a 12-10 overall record and a 2-4 record in conference play. The Fighting Illini are currently on a two-game losing streak and are coming off an 11-9 loss to Missouri on Tuesday.  

Players to watch for Illinois in this matchup against the Spartans include junior infielder Jack Zebig and redshirt sophomore infielder Kyle Schupmann.  

Zebig leads Illinois in hits with 30 hits and has recorded 22 runs and six home runs this season. Schupmann leads the Illini in home runs with seven and has collected 24 runs this season.  

The Spartans will begin their three-game home series with the Fighting Illini with a double header on Friday and the final game on Saturday. First pitch for game one of the doubleheader is set for 12:02 p.m. from McLane Stadium.