Fresh off a weekend where it took two of three games from Western Kentucky, the Illinois State baseball team will continue to try and build on its success as they travel to Columbia, Mo., on Wednesday to take on the Missouri Tigers at 4:00 p.m.
Over the weekend in Bowling Green, Ky., ISU (4-5) took two of three games from the hosting Hilltoppers. After splitting the first two games of the series, ISU responded well in game three, winning 6-4.
The win on Sunday was really exciting for us, said head coach Jim Brownlee. We blew a four-run lead in the bottom of the eighth and they tied it up at four. Then we come out and respond with two in the top of the ninth and re-take control of the game. For us to respond like that early in the season, on the road, with the series on the line shows me that we are capable of winning quite a few games this year.
Brownlee, who will be shooting for his 750th win as a Division I coach will send sophomore Luke Baughman to the Taylor Stadium mound on Wednesday. Baughman (0-0) has pitched 5.1 innings this season, but will be making his first start in 2005.
We really just need to keep getting better every game, so we need to take advantage of having the opportunity to play Missouri (9-4), because they are an established program in the Big 12 and they were in the NCAA Regionals last year, said Brownlee. Right now the weather doesnt look good but hopefully the forecast will change and we can get out and play.
Wednesdays game will be available on the internet for fans wishing to follow along with the action either via Gametracker or live webcast. Both services are free and can be accessed by logging onto www.redbirds.org and clicking on the baseball schedule, where links to both will be present.
