Three Redbirds Named Preseason All-MVC; ISU Tabbed Fourth

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – A year after finishing with their most conference wins since 2013, the Illinois State baseball team was selected to finish fourth in the annual Preseason MVC Coaches' Poll, the league announced Monday.

Missouri State was picked to finish first in the league after gathering 90 total points with five first-place votes. Southern Illinois was tabbed second with 86 total points, with Murray State close behind with 84 points.

The Redbirds come in at fourth (72) while Evansville and Indiana State tied with 49 points and were picked fifth. UIC (46), Belmont (39), Bradley (39), and Valparaiso (19) round out the poll.

The Redbirds also landed three players on the MVC Preseason All-Conference Team, tied for the most of any school in the conference. Seniors Judah Morris and Kyle Gibson join junior Daniel Pacella on the squad.

Daniel Pacella, the lone returning Redbird named to last season's All-MVC First Team, has started all 17 games this season in left field. The Mundelein, Ill. native is currently slashing .433/.494/.761 with eight doubles, four home runs, 13 RBIs and 16 runs scored. 

An Honorable Mention All-MVC selection last season, Morris has been a firm foundation for the Redbirds at first base in 2025. Morris is slashing .322/.461/.763 with a team-best 22 RBIs, five doubles, seven home runs, and 13 runs in 59 at-bats. 

After joining the Redbirds prior to the 2025 season, Kyle Gibson has made an immediate impact this season, making 17 starts at third base for ISU. Gibson is slashing .324/.380/.380 with two doubles, a triple, 11 RBIs, and 10 runs scored in 2025.

Head coach Steve Holm, in his seventh season at ISU, led the Redbirds to a 30-27 record in 2024 including 16-11 in MVC play. The 16 wins are the most in MVC play for ISU since 2013 when the Birds finished first with a conference record of 16-5.

COMING UP

The Redbirds host SIUE in a midweek matchup on Tuesday at 5 PM from Duffy Bass Field. Tuesday's game will be streamed via ESPN+.

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