After playing 15-consecutive road games to start the 2011 season, the Illinois State baseball team opens up its home schedule at Duffy Bass Field Wednesday, with a 3 p.m. first-pitch scheduled against SIU Edwardsville.
Fans looking to be a part of the opening day action will have the opportunity for only $1, as part of the "Buck Day" promotion.
In addition to $1 admission, there will also be $1 hot dogs and drinks. The weather forecast is calling for sunny skies and a temperature in the upper 50s for the mid-afternoon game.
The Redbirds (10-5) are coming off a stretch of eight games in 10 days, in which ISU went 6-2 on its spring break road trip to Florida. During that stretch, Illinois State outscored its opponents, 64-to-37, outhit its opponents, 77-to-73, and amassed 53 RBI compared to 30 by the opposition. Additionally, ISU batters walked 23 more times than their opponents (53-to-30).
SIUE (4-11) completed a three-game sweep of Chicago State last weekend, outscoring CSU, 27-to-8. SIUE is led offensively by Devin Caldwell, who is hitting .357 with nine RBI, 15 runs and 20 hits, including five doubles, a triple and a home run. Meanwhile, right-hander Ryan Daniels, who is 0-2 with a 7.15 ERA, is slated to pitch for the Cougars.
The Redbirds are expected to counter with right-hander JD Learnard, who is 0-1 with a 4.61 ERA. ISU pitchers combined for a 2.69 ERA during the Redbirds' spring break road trip, while the opposition was credited with a 6.15 ERA. Illinois State only allowed 22 earned runs and 37 total runs during the eight-game stretch, while its opponents were charged with 49 earned runs and 64 total runs.
Illinois State has played SIUE 15 times, and the Redbirds lead the all-time series, 9-5-1, with the Redbirds' last three wins over the Cougars coming during a three-game series sweep in May of 2009. ISU will remain at home this weekend for a three-game series against Austin Peay.
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