Game Notes | Bo Durkac Show | Live Video | Live Audio | Live Stats
NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball team will try and end its eight-game losing streak by securing its first home victory of the season when it hosts Eastern Illinois at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Duffy Bass Field.
Illinois State (7-16) was swept in its three-game series at Tulane over the weekend, dropping the series opener Friday by a 13-0 score. The Redbirds were then swept in both games of Saturday's doubleheader, which was necessitated by anticipated inclement weather on Sunday. Tulane won the opener, 3-2 in 12 innings, and the nightcap, 9-3.
The Redbirds will look to get back in the win column against Eastern Illinois (3-20), which was also swept over the weekend, in an Ohio Valley Conference series against Jacksonville State, in Charleston, Illinois.
Illinois State will start right-handed pitcher Mitch Weis (0-1, 7.15 ERA) on Tuesday. Eastern Illinois will counter with right-hander Cole Berry (0-0, 10.24).
Despite being swept, the Redbirds got solid performances over the weekend from shortstop Owen Miller and outfielder Blake Molitor, as both hit over .300, with four hits apiece. Steve Heilenbach turned in his third quality start of the season in a loss in Saturday's opener, before Rhett Rapshus followed with three scoreless innings of relief.
Eastern Illinois has been led by infielder Cale Hennemann, who has started every game for the Panthers, and tops the team in batting average (.302) and RBIs (12).
Eastern Illinois holds a slight edge in the all-time series with Illinois State, as the Panthers are 88-84-1 against the Redbirds. Illinois State won the most recent meeting, however, an 18-14 slugfest last March 31 in Charleston. The Redbirds hit seven home runs in the win, including three from Paul DeJong and two from Joe Kelch.
Links for live video, audio and stats for Tuesday's game can be found at GoRedbirds.com. Fans can also receive live updates from the games via Twitter, by following @RedbirdBaseball.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
