Unlike last week, when MSU had a disappointing split against Oakland on Tuesday before dropping two of three games at Ohio State, the Spartans feel good about themselves heading into this weekend’s series against the Fighting Illini (12-20, 4-5) in Champaign, Ill.

“It was especially big because we’re going away for Big Ten play again,” senior first baseman Jeff Holm said. “To get some momentum going into a tough weekend away, it’s always good to get a win. When your guys are playing well, you can carry that over.”

MSU will make its second consecutive weekend road trip, beginning with a 7:05 p.m. game tonight. Last weekend at Ohio State, the Spartans won game one but dropped the next two, marking their first series loss in Big Ten play.

Head coach Jake Boss Jr. said the fact MSU is coming off a big win against the in-state Chippewas could help the Spartans heading into the weekend. However, he said more important than the midweek win is that MSU was back to playing good, fundamental baseball Wednesday.

“We just have to keep playing solid baseball,” Boss said. “We made too many mistakes really to get away with them last weekend. … We have to take care of the little things, take care of the details, in order to win.”

Much like every weekend, Boss said the Spartans will run into a well-coached Fighting Illini team this weekend. Throw in a veteran infield and experienced pitching, and Boss said despite Illinois’ underwhelming record, MSU will not have an easy time walking out of Champaign with a series victory.

Also, similar to the Spartans, the Fighting Illini lost two out of three games last weekend at Michigan, leaving both teams looking to right the ship in conference play.

“I think they’re going to be hungry,” Boss said of Illinois. “They lost a series to Michigan last weekend, and now they get home and they’re going to try and get right at home. It’s going to be a challenge, no doubt.”

MSU players, though, said they also are hungry. The Spartans are tied at the top of the Big Ten standings, and sophomore second baseman Ryan Jones said he and his teammates hope to stay in a similar position the rest of the season.

For that to happen, MSU will have to avoid a slide like last season, when the Spartans lost out on an opportunity to play in the Big Ten Tournament on the final day of conference play. Jones said the quest to avoid a similar collapse starts this weekend.

“It’s very important because we don’t want to start to slip in the Big Ten like we did last year,” Jones said. “A lot of bad memories from that, so we’re just going to try and go out Friday night, get that first W and then hopefully try to win the series Saturday.”

The ultimate goal for MSU this weekend is to sweep the Fighting Illini, but Boss said that’s no easy task on the road in conference action.

Boss said the Spartans will focus on winning the series first, and if they have a chance to sweep, they will worry about it then. For now, though, Boss said he and his players simply will prepare themselves for another series in the Big Ten, where every weekend is important.

“They’re all big weekends now when you’re in the thick of it,” Boss said. “But this weekend, we’re excited to go out to Illinois and face a very good ball club.”