NORMAL, Ill. – After returning home for a midweek contest, Illinois State (11-15, 1-1 MVC) is back on the road as the Redbirds will play at Valparaiso (3-18, 0-3 MVC) for a three-game weekend series that starts with a doubleheader on Friday, Mar. 24 that begins at 1 p.m. CT and will conclude with a single game on Sunday, Mar. 26 at noon CT.
The original weekend schedule had the Redbirds and Beacons playing one game on Friday, Mar. 24 at 3 p.m., one game on Saturday, Mar. 25 at 2 p.m. CT and the final game of the series on Sunday, Mar. 26 at noon CT. Based on the weather forecast for Saturday, Mar. 25, the schedule was adjusted to a doubleheader on Friday, Mar. 24 that will begin at 1 p.m. CT with the second game following 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first.
Illinois State opened its home slate against DePaul on Tuesday, Mar. 21 with 10-3 victory over the Blue Demons. The Redbirds scored all 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth to complete a come-from-behind win. The last time Illinois State scored 10 runs in a single inning was against Valparaiso on May 1, 2022. The Redbirds hosted the Beacons for a three-game series last season and scored 10 runs in the fourth inning of a 17-0, five-inning defeat of Valparaiso.
The Redbirds enter this weekend having won six of their last seven games. Their one loss in that time was to Belmont in the opening game of conference play, but Illinois State bounced back to defeat the Bruins the following day. The rubber match of the series was canceled due to cold temperatures in the Nashville area.
SERIES SCHEDULE
Friday, Mar. 24 – Illinois State at Valparaiso– 1 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Friday, Mar. 24 – Illinois State at Valparaiso – 3:30 p.m. CT (ESPN3) [30 minutes after the conclusion of game one]
Sunday, Mar. 26 – Illinois State at Valparaiso – noon CT (ESPN+)
SERIES HISTORY
Illinois State holds the all-time series record over Valparaiso 13-2. The Redbirds have won the last 10 games in a row which dates back to 2019. The Beacons hold two wins over the Redbirds and both came during the 2018 season.
Illinois State hosted Valparaiso for a three-game series at Marian Kneer Stadium in 2022. The Redbirds outscored the Beacons 30-6 across the three games played. Illinois State set a stadium record for runs scored and RBI in a 17-0 five-inning defeat of the Beacons in the second game of the series. In that game, fifth-year senior Emme Olson was 4-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, five RBI and three runs scored.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Valparaiso currently holds a 3-18 overall record and the Beacons are 0-3 in conference after getting swept in a three-game series by the red-hot Southern Illinois Salukis. Valpo's three wins came against Western Illinois, Bellarmine and Eastern Illinois. The Beacons last win came on Mar. 4 against EIU. They are looking to snap a nine-game losing streak with their first games at home against Illinois State.
A season ago, Valparaiso posted a 14-33 overall record while going 5-22 in conference play. The Beacons won two series in conference - Evansville (2-1) and Loyola (2-1) - but ended last in the MVC. Valpo lost to Indiana State in the first round of the Valley Tournament to end its season.
NEWS & NOTES
Home Opener in March?: Illinois State's home opener against DePaul is the earliest home opener for the Redbirds since 2015 when ISU opened its home slate against UNI on March 14. It is also the second earliest in the last 10 seasons (2012-2023 - 2020 does not count due to the cancellation of the season because of COVID-19).
National Stats: As a team, Illinois State currently ranks 34th in the nation in team fielding percentage (.975) which is also second best in the conference. As a team, the Redbirds are also 49th in the country in doubles per game (1.48) and 52nd in total doubles (37). Individually, sophomore Delainey Bryant is 39th in the country in doubles per game (0.36).
Belmont Series Recap: Illinois State opened Missouri Valley Conference play at Belmont in Nashville, Tenn. The Bruins took the first game of the three-game series 4-1 as the Redbirds' offense was scarce. The second was better for the 'Birds as Illinois State took an early lead and never let up, defeating Belmont 4-2 to even the series. Unfortunately, the rubber match that was scheduled for Sunday, Mar. 19 was canceled due to the cold temperatures in Nashville (the wind chill has to be above 32 degrees in order to play).
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