NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball team is set to host Eastern Illinois in an exhibition contest Saturday at 11:00 a.m. CT at Duffy Bass Field.
Due to Illinois State soccer's Senior Day match against Evansville at 6:00 p.m., there is a drop-dead time of 4:30 p.m. at Duffy Bass Field.
There is not expected to be a video/audio/live stats feed, but statistics will be available to media upon request. Admission is free. Concessions will not be available.
2021 SEASON SUMMARY
The Redbirds were picked to finish second in the MVC, but closed the campaign with a 23-34 overall mark, including a 12-15 record in conference play. After an exciting extra-inning walk-off victory over Evansville in the play-in round of the MVC Tournament, sixth-seeded ISU was topped by Indiana State and Valparaiso to conclude the campaign. The team earned a win over 25th-ranked Indiana State and a 12-10 record at home, winning seven of its final eight home games.
WHO'S BACK?
The program returns 21 players, including five All-Missouri Valley Conference honorees, headlined by third-year sophomore CF Ryan Cermak, who was named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball in 2021, in addition to be the MVC Defensive Player and First Team All-MVC . Fifth-year junior 1B Jake McCaw returns after being named First Team All-MVC, hitting .367, boosted by a blistering second half at the plate. Sixth-year senior 2B Kyle Soberano, fourth-year sophomore LHP Sean Sinisko, third-year sophomore RHP Jordan Lussier were named Honorable Mention All-MVC in 2021. In addition to Soberano, sixth-year senior UTIL Aidan Huggins, fifth-year seniors INF Nick Gile, RHP Connor Peplow, and RHP Colin Wyman elected to use their additional season of eligibility granted by the NCAA due the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the offensive side, Illinois State returns 258 hits (51.1%), 139 RBIs (53.9%), 22 home runs (55%), and 12 stolen bases (40%).
For pitching, Illinois State returns 316.2 innings pitched (67.7%), 18 wins (78.3%), all nine saves, and 276 strikeouts (67.5%).
Defensively, Illinois State will seek to replace its catching duo from 2021, in addition to having two outfield positions open (more below).
GONE FROM 2021
LHP Colton Johnson was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 16th round while C Hayden Jones signed a free agent deal with the Cincinnati Reds. The team also lost Honorable Mention All-MVC C Tyson Hays, Honorable Mention All-MVC DH Jordan Libman, super-utility man Joe Butler, and OF Jack Butler, in addition to traditional attrition due to graduation and the transfer portal.
TRANSFER PORTAL ERA
Illinois State adds 18 new players for the 2022 season by way of five incoming freshman and 13 transfers. In total, the team consists of 21 transfers, which have combined to transfer 36 times.
COMPLETE ROSTER BREAKDOWN (39 PLAYERS)
By State/Province: Illinois (15), California (6), Wisconsin (4), Texas (3), Alberta (2), Minnesota (2), British Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Manitoba, Maryland, Michigan, South Dakota
By Position: Pitcher (22), Infield (7), Outfield (7), Catcher (3)
By Hand: RHP (14), LHP (8), RH Hitter (11), LH Hitter (5), Switch Hitter (1)
By Eligibility: 4 years (10), 3 years (14), 2 years (11), 1 year (4)
By School: Transfer (21), Non-transfer (18)
ABOUT THE OPPONENT (EASTERN ILLINOIS)
Eastern Illinois finished 25-23 in 2021, led by first round pick Trey Sweeney and returning junior Logan Eickhoff, who hit .423. EIU was 14-16 in the Ohio Valley Conference. Illinois State and Eastern Illinois split its home-and-home match-ups in March 2021 with each team earning a road victory.
