NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball team will try to get back in the win column Tuesday as it travels to Eastern Illinois for a non-conference game at Coaches Stadium in Charleston, Illinois.
Illinois State (11-13) will try to end a three-game losing streak after being swept in its first Missouri Valley Conference games of the season over the weekend at No. 15 Dallas Baptist, when it travels to Eastern Illinois (0-20) Tuesday.
"Eastern Illinois has played a very aggressive schedule this year, which partly explains its record," said Illinois State head coach Bo Durkac. "Just two years ago, in 2013, when we won the Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship, they took two of three from us at Duffy Bass Field, and beat us 20-2 in Charleston two weeks later.
"We must be prepared to play our best against the Panthers."
The Redbirds will turn to freshman right-hander Jeffrey Barton, who will make his first collegiate start Tuesday. Barton currently sports a 5.79 ERA in five relief appearances this year, and has not factored in a decision. He has allowed eight hits and six walks over 9.1 innings of work. He has three strikeouts.
Eastern Illinois has yet to win a game this year and was most recently swept in a three-game series against Murray State at Coaches Stadium, Saturday and Sunday.
The Panthers will start right-handed senior Andrew Grahn, who has appeared in only one game this season. He allowed one hit and three walks, with three strikeouts, over three scoreless innings against Murray State on Saturday.
The Redbirds will return to Duffy Bass Field after Tuesday's game, as they will host MVC foe Evansville for a three-game series beginning Friday.
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