Mike Small's Illini men's golf team has started its second round on a positive note at an NCAA regional in New Jersey. At noon, Dan Hartleb's Illinois baseball team takes on Purdue in a game that has Big Ten tournament and NCAA tournament ramifications. At 5 p.m., Terri Sullivan's Illini softball team takes on Missouri in an NCAA tournament opener.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Illinois was eliminated from the Big Ten baseball title hunt Friday night, but reliever Lee Zerrusen did everything he could to keep his team in the race.

Zerrusen struck out Purdue’s Dan Black with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the Illini’s 6-3 victory Friday afternoon. Illinois (33-17, 16-7 Big Ten) fell 11/2 games behind league-leading Minnesota, which defeated Penn State on Friday night to end Illinois’ bid.

A closer look at Terri Sullivan's Illini ahead of today's NCAA tournament opener against host Missouri (5 p.m. start):

URBANA – Designated player Katrina Ross and second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz earned All-Big Ten first-team honors for Illinois, the league announced Wednesday.

Right fielder Hope Howell took a spot on the second team, and left fielder Hollie Pinchback and third baseman Kelley Wedel were selected for the third team.

Illinois and Missouri have long-standing rivalries in basketball and football, but their softball teams will meet for the first time ever in the opening round of play at the Columbia, Mo. regional Friday at Audrey Walton Stadium.

The No. 3 seed Illini are making their first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2004. First pitch between Illinois and Missouri is slated for 5 p.m.

URBANA – Illinois' softball team has compiled one of the best seasons in school history.

Only three times in the last decade have coach Terri Sullivan-coached squads had a better winning percentage than in 2009. Two of those teams (2003 and 2004) were chosen to participate in the NCAA tournament.

MINNEAPOLIS — Illinois concluded its softball regular season with an extra-inning 2-1 win against Minnesota on Sunday.

The Illini's Big Ten finish and NCAA tournament status won't be known for another week.

EVANSTON – Pete Cappetta had a career-high four hits – including two doubles and a home run – and four RBI as No. 28 Illinois stayed in first place in the Big Ten with a wild 15-12 baseball win against Northwestern on Saturday.

"Offensively, we did a great job of getting an early lead and tacking on runs throughout the game," UI coach Dan Hartleb said.