In-state rival Western Illinois will be the next opponent for the Illinois State baseball team, which takes its show on the road as the Redbirds head to Macomb, Ill., on Wednesday to face the Westerwinds in non-conference baseball action at 3 p.m.
After 21 games on the road to start the season, we were able to fit in a four-game home series last weekend before taking our show on the road again, Redbird head coach Jeff Stewart said. We are looking forward to getting back outside, however, and playing in some good weather for a change against Western Illinois.
Last season, the WIU/ISU game was cancelled due to wet field conditions in Normal. The last time the two teams played, in 2000, Western Illinois defeated the Redbirds by one run, 15-14, in a game where Illinois State committed seven errors.
On the heels of a victory against Southern Illinois last Sunday, the Birds will look to continue to dominate in midweek action. With a 2-0 record while playing during the week, ISU has defeated Big Ten foe Iowa (14-6) and reigning Ohio Valley Champions Eastern Illinois 11-4.
Struggling overall (8-17, 4-7) Illinois State plays eight straight non-conference games before returning to the Valley schedule on April 19 when the Panthers of Northern Iowa prowl into town for a four-game series. But according to Stewart, his team isnt looking ahead just yet.
These next few games will be a great opportunity for the young guys to get some starts, Stewart said. We are starting Kevin Ewen on the mound and he has never started a game before. Also, some other young pitchers will see some playing time that really havent seen any all year.
Western Illinois, whose game last Sunday was cancelled due to rain, holds a 3-22 record this season and are 0-2 in the Mid-Continent Conference.
Western Illinois has played a great schedule, Stewart said. They have seen some real tough opponents and we are not going to let that teams record deceive us. Hopefully we have learned our lesson from our past and we will come prepared.
