After an offensive explosion against Western Illinois, where the Redbirds hit a season-high five home runs in one game including two, three-run homers from Ryan Cantrell, the Illinois State baseball team will look to continue to improve on the field as well as at the plate when the Huskies of Northern Illinois roll into town for a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday at Redbird Field.
After Saturdays games, which begin at 1 p.m., the Birds travel to DeKalb, Ill., on Sunday for another doubleheader with the Huskies beginning at 1 p.m.
On a two-game win streak and winners of three of their last five games, the Redbirds (9-17, 4-7) are set to play six more non-league games before they face their next Valley opponent Northern Iowa on April 19-21. Northern Illinois is 10-17, 3-5 heading into Saturdays games.
With Cantrell and company swinging at another level, the Huskie pitching staff will have its work cut out for them. Also leading the way for the Birds with the bat is Brad Bouris, who with a .518 batting average is tops in the Missouri Valley Conference. Jon Peacock and Mike Saunches have six home runs apiece on the year and have a combined RBI total of 52.
Last season, Illinois State defeated Northern Illinois 7-4 at home on May 1. This is the 116th meeting between the two schools dating back to 1930. ISU has not lost to NIU since 1997, with no game played between the schools in 1999.
