April 26, 2010
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State renews its oldest rivalry Tuesday night when the Redbirds travel across Bloomington-Normal city limits for the annual Horenberger-Bass Classic against Illinois Wesleyan at 6 p.m.
The Redbirds enter the contest 19-16 overall, and 8-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Titans are 14-15 overall and 8-7 in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin contests.
Last Time Out
Before its doubleheader with St. Xavier was rained out Sunday, Illinois State split a pair of mid-week contests against Big Ten foes, defeating Illinois, 4-1, at Illinois Field Tuesday, before a 3-1 loss at Northwestern Wednesday. JD Learnard pitched an Illinois State season-high 7.2 innings to earn the win against the Fighting Illini, and Kenny Long went the rest of the way to notch his fifth save of the season. The Redbirds stranded 10 baserunners on the road at Evanston and scored just one run against Northwestern.
The Opponent: Illinois Wesleyan Titans
• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, Ill., and has an enrollment of 2,140. The Titans are members of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, and compete at the NCAA Division III level.
• The Titans were 24-16 last season and enter Tuesday's contest with a 14-15 overall mark.
• The Titans are coached by Dennis Martel, who is in his 23rd season. Martel has led the Titans to more than 575 wins during his tenure.
• Illinois State leads the all-time series 82-70 that dates back to 1890 - Illinois State's first recorded baseball game. The two teams didn't meet in 2009 due to poor weather conditions, but Illinois State won the last meeting at Jack Horenberger Field, 7-4, in 2008. The Redbirds are 3-2 against Illinois Wesleyan since the annual game was renewed in 2004.
Playing Opossum?
The Redbirds haven't successfully swiped a base in six games, their longest drought of the season, but the ability to run is still there. Illinois State has stolen four or more bases in seven games, including two games with six steals. Kevin Tokarski leads the Redbirds with 19 stolen bases, followed closely by Chad Hinshaw at 16 steals. Tokarski, a redshirt sophomore, is three steals shy of tying Illinois State's career record for stolen bases of 55 set by Mike Prior during the 1983-85 seasons. With 60 steals on the season, Illinois State has already surpassed last season's total (55).
A Win-Win Adjustment
It's hard to argue against Ryan Copeland as Illinois State's most consistent starting pitcher during his first three seasons as a Redbird, but after struggling a bit to start the 2010 season, Copeland is thriving in a new role out of the bullpen. The senior from Des Plaines, Ill., has a miniscule 0.57 ERA in 15.2 innings of relief, while posting a 1-0 record and a save. Copeland has limited opponents to a .135 batting average and fanned 12 batters in seven relief appearances. Conversely, in his seven starts Copeland posted a 1-4 record and 7.30 ERA, while opponents hit .326 off the left-hander. In his stead, freshman Brad Sorkin has a 3-1 record and 1.80 ERA as a starter, after posting a 7.71 ERA and allowing a .417 opponent batting average out of the bullpen.
Chase for the Crown
Illinois State and Wichita State will meet at Duffy Bass Field to determine the top team in the Missouri Valley Conference as the calendar turns on the final month of the regular season this weekend. Illinois State is seven games over .500 in Valley play for the first-time ever with its league-leading 8-1 record. The Redbirds have won all three of their league series, and have won six in a row while sweeping Creighton and Southern Illinois. It's the best conference start for the Redbirds since going 7-1 to begin the 1984 season. Wichita State enters the weekend at 8-4, having won three of its first four conference series.
