April 30, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State baseball team has been dealing with its share of April showers, and while the team isn't particularly interested in May flowers, the team is in position for some extra hours. The Redbirds are seeking their first State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament since 2001 and resume league play this weekend when Creighton visits Duffy Bass Field for a three-game series beginning Friday at 6 p.m.
The Redbirds (19-16, 9-7 MVC) are in fifth place with two conference series left to be played and need to finish in sixth or higher to advance to the tournament in Wichita, Kan. Illinois State has a tall task with the 11-3 Jays embarking on Normal, but the Redbirds played spoiler earlier this season while taking a series, 2-1, from then-undefeated-in-Valley-play Missouri State.
Creighton is perhaps the most complete team the Redbirds have faced this season with a .305 team batting average, .981 team fielding percentage and a combined 3.71 ERA.
"They're very good," Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee said. "They got off to a slow start but it seems like they've got it going. They're always one of the better defensive teams in the league. They catch the ball and they don't beat themselves. They're fundamentally sound offensively. They play hard. They play the way you want your team to play. They just get after it."
The Redbirds are itching to get back on the field after a pair of rainouts this week. The Redbirds were rained out of the eighth and ninth times this season, cancelling games with Illinois Wesleyan and Western Michigan. Illinois State's bullpen should be well rested, but the big question is who will play short after ISU lost starter, and leadoff hitter, Collin Salzenstein to a shoulder injury Sunday at Southern Illinois. Mike Stalowy played short in Sunday's game, but Ryan Court is another option.
Ryan Camp (4-2, 5.78 ERA) is expected to take the mound for the Redbirds Friday against Jeremy Hauer (1-5, 4.27 ERA). Corey Maines (6-2, 3.66 ERA) will make another Saturday start for ISU as he faces defending MVC Pitcher of the Week Jonas Dufek (3-5, 3.65 ERA) at 2 p.m. Ryan Copeland will anchor the Redbird rotation and match-up with Greg Hellhake (5-1, 3.72 ERA) in Sunday's finale at 1 p.m.
The Illinois State Athletics Department will host a Young TRC tailgate beginning at 5 p.m. Friday and officially dedicate the new stadium at Duffy Bass Field prior to Saturday's 2 p.m. game. For more information on the Young TRC event contact Tracie Brown at (309)438-3636.
