NORMAL, Ill. – The 2017 season officially got underway Friday as the Illinois State baseball team held its first team practice of the season in Horton Field House.
A total of 36 players reported for the first day of practice, including 19 returners and 17 newcomers. The practice was directed by third-year head coach Bo Durkac.
"After two weeks of individual practices, we are ready to begin full-team workouts in preparation for the 2017 season," Durkac said. "We have a lot of question marks heading into the season in terms of roles, so I expect each player to work hard to earn playing time. It is a very exciting time of year."
Friday's practice comes exactly three weeks before the Redbirds begin the season at the Riverview Inn Governors Challenge in Clarksville, Tennessee. The Redbirds will face Indiana State on Feb. 17, Austin Peay on Feb. 18 and Youngstown State on Feb. 19. The game versus Indiana State will not be counted as a Missouri Valley Conference contest.
After the Riverview Inn Governors Challenge, the Redbirds will play 18 games at seven away sites before hosting their first home game on March 28, against Saint Louis, at Duffy Bass Field. Illinois State will play its first Missouri Valley Conference series, March 31 through April 2, at 2016 MVC champion Dallas Baptist. Illinois State hosts its first league games April 14-16, against Evansville, at Duffy Bass Field.
The season will conclude at the MVC Tournament, May 24-27, in Springfield, Missouri.
The 2016 Illinois State baseball team posted an overall record of 17-37 and a league record of 7-13.
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