The Eastern baseball team is scheduled to play the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Tuesday night, but pending rain showers may lead to a cancelation of the game for the second straight season.

Last year, the two teams were scheduled to play on April 23, but rainy conditions forced the game to be canceled at Peterson Park in Mattoon.

Eastern coach Jim Schmitz said a decision would be made by noon Tuesday if the game would be played.

“It’s looking a little iffy right now,” Schmitz said.

If the game does get underway, Schmitz will send senior Jaden Widdersheim to the mound for the Panthers against the Illini.

Illinois is 17-11 this season and is coming off a three-game sweep of Northwestern.

The Illini have won five straight Big 10 games, leading to a 5-1 record, which is their best start in conference play since 2008.

Eastern won its first Ohio Valley Conference series, beating Murray State twice during the weekend.

The Panthers are 9-22 overall.

Illinois has not announced a starting pitcher yet for Tuesday’s game.

This will be the 75th meeting between the Illini and the Panthers, as Illinois has a 50-24 series lead, but with Schmitz coaching Eastern is 11-11 in the series.

Last year, Eastern defeated the Panthers 8-4 in Champaign, as the Panthers scored eight runs in the top of the sixth inning and held on to win after the Illini scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Eastern has won three of its last five games in the series and have split four games at Peterson Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Tuesday at Peterson Park in Mattoon.

Aldo Soto can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].