NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State (4-7) will continue its road trip to Jacksonville, Florida this weekend for three games against two different opponents. The Redbirds will face-off with Virginia Commonwealth and Jacksonville Friday in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. CT, and then will follow that with a 5 p.m. CT matchup against Jacksonville on Saturday.
Ranked Win
For the second time this season, the Redbirds knocked off a ranked opponent as they defeated No. 13 Arkansas 8-7 in a thriller on Tuesday. Illinois State took an early 3-0 lead on a home run by Joe Butler in the third inning, and received key run-scoring hits by Ryan Cermak and Jordan Libman in the latter innings. The Razorbacks threatened with two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Colton Johnson came on in relief to get a three-strikeout save to end the game.
Redbirds Picked Third in MVC Preseason Poll
A year after finishing as co-champions of the Missouri Valley Conference, the Illinois State baseball team was selected to finish third in the annual Preseason MVC Coaches' Poll. Dallas Baptist, who shared the crown with the Redbirds a year ago, was picked to finish first after gathering 61 total points. Missouri State was tabbed second with 51 total points, with Illinois State close behind with 49 points. Indiana State was selected to finish fourth (40), while Bradley (38) was picked fifth. Evansville (21), Southern Illinois (18) and Valparaiso (10) rounded out the poll.
Mound Dominance
Senior LHP Colton Johnson followed up his career-high strikeout performance last weekend at Oklahoma by tying his strikeout total (10) in a win at Louisiana-Monroe Friday afternoon. Johnson hurled 6.0 innings, allowing 3 runs (0 earned) on 6 hits with three walks. The Kewanee, Ill. native also picked up the save in Tuesday's victory over Arkansas, tossing three strikeouts in the bottom of the ninth to get the Redbirds out of a jam. So far this season, Johnson has 31 strikeouts in 20.0 innings pitched, which is tied for first in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Breakout Performance
Freshman infielder Ryan Cermak had a breakout game Friday at ULM as well, as he led the Illinois State offense with three extra-base hits in the Redbirds' 6-3 victory over the Warhawks. Cermak hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to extend the ISU lead, and also knocked two doubles in the game. Cermak finished the day going 3 for 4 with 3 runs scored and an RBI.
Long Ball
The Redbirds hit four home runs in the three-game series at ULM, including solo shots by Cermak and Blackford on Friday. Tyson Hays hit a solo home run in Sunday's 4-2 loss, while Jordan Libman knocked a solo bomb in a 26-8 defeat Saturday.
Familiar Faces
Despite losing multiple key players to the draft and graduation, the Redbirds bring back a solid core of players headlined by preseason All-MVC picks in senior infielder Joe Butler, redshirt-junior outfielder Jack Butler, senior left-handed pitcher Colton Johnson and senior outfielder/designated hitter Jordan Libman. In total, five position starters and nine pitchers return from last season's roster.
Tough Road Ahead
The Redbirds will be spending a lot of time away from Normal to start the season, as ISU will be on the road for the first six weeks of the season before its home opener on March 24 against Northwestern. ISU's road slate opens up with three straight weekend series' against Little Rock (Feb. 14-16), Oklahoma (Feb. 21-23) and Louisiana Monroe (Feb. 28-March 1). The Redbirds will then continue with four mid-week road games, the Jacksonville Invite and two other road series. Overall, the Redbirds will face-off with eight opponents that appeared in last year's NCAA Tournament, including No.1-seeded Arkansas.
Scouting the Rams
The Rams return seven position starters and nine pitchers from a squad that finished 39-19 overall and 19-5 in the Atlantic-10 Conference last season. So far in the 2020 campaign, VCU owns an 8-4 record. Prior to the season, the Rams were selected as the favorites in the 13-team A-10 Conference.
Scouting the Dolphins
Jacksonville enters the weekend with a 5-8 overall record, including losses to then No. 2-ranked Florida and No. 14 Central Florida. The Dolphins return six position starters and nine pitchers from last year's 32-27 team, including Preseason Atlantic Sun All-Conference selection Dakota Julylia at shortstop. Jacksonville was selected to finish fourth in the nine-team Atlantic Sun Conference.
Series History
The Redbirds and Dolphins have faced-off one time, with Jacksonville taking home a victory in 2004. This will be the first meeting between the Redbirds and Rams.
Game Information
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