After playing its last six games against non-conference opponents, the Illinois State baseball team is ready to step back into Valley play when the Redbirds host the Southern Illinois Salukis Friday at 6:30 p.m. in the first of four games this weekend at Redbird Field.
After winning only their second series of the year last weekend against the University of Illinois-Chicago, the Redbirds looked like two different teams in their two midweek games. They defeated Northern Illinois 10-5 on Tuesday night, but fell to Eastern Illinois 8-7 on Wednesday. After not committing an error against Northern, Illinois State (14-23, 5-11), the Valleys worst fielding team statistically, committed six errors on Wednesday.
The game against Eastern was a definite setback for us, but we had been going pretty well up until then, said Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee. This weekend marks the beginning of the stretch run for us, with four more conference weekends left. It usually comes down to the last weekend in the Valley and I suspect that will happen again this year.
Southern Illinois (15-23-1, 9-10-1) comes to town winners of five of their last six, including taking three of four from Creighton last weekend and handing league-leading Wichita State their lone loss in the MVC back on April 18.
This weekend with SIU will determine a lot for us, said Brownlee. Other than Wichita, were all about the same. Southern has really been playing well lately, so well have to be ready.
Ive always said my teams will play well in May and its almost here, added Brownlee. I think our pitching is beginning to come around and that will help us out a lot.
Kyle Bloom (3-5) will be the starter Friday night for Illinois State. The game will be available on www.wjbc2.com. It will also be available on Gametracker.
###
