After splitting their opening weekend series at Belmont, the Redbirds (2-2) travel back to Tennessee to take on Austin Peay (3-0) and Milwaukee (1-2) at the Austin Peay Classic in Clarksville, Tenn.
Illinois State will open play against Austin Peay, Saturday at 11 a.m., with Corey Maines (1-0) expected to pitch. The Redbirds will then send Brad Sorkin (0-0) to the mound Saturday afternoon for a projected 2:30 p.m. first pitch against Milwaukee. ISU was originally scheduled to play a single game against Austin Peay on Friday, but wet field conditions forced the postponement of Friday's game, creating Saturday's doubleheader. The series will wrap up Sunday at 11 a.m., when ISU starts freshman Dan Savas (1-0), for just the second time in his career.
Last season, Austin Peay finished with a 28-25 overall record, and an 8-13 mark in the Ohio Valley Conference (eighth place). The Governors split a two-game series with the Redbirds at the beginning of 2010, in Clarksville. Milwaukee went 33-26 last season, and finished second in the Horizon League, with a 17-8 conference record. The Panthers won the Horizon League Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Regional for the fourth time in program history, where Milwaukee lost to Arizona State and San Diego.
"Once again this weekend, if we don't play well, we could easily get beat against these quality teams," head coach Mark Kingston said. "This will be a challenge, so we need to be ready, and I think we will be."
Senior third baseman Ryan Court will try to lead the Redbirds again this weekend, after he finished the opening series atop four offensive categories, including batting average (.500), on-base percentage (.667), doubles (3) and walks (4). Court also ranks second on the team in slugging percentage (.800).
"Focus is something we need to work on this weekend," said Court. "Every game this season is going to be a challenge, but if we can focus and really be locked in, then we'll have a great weekend."
The Redbirds trail the all-time series to Austin Peay, 8-to-13, while ISU leads the all-time series against Milwaukee, 20-to-2.
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