MADISON, Wis. – Illinois State baseball is set to compete against the Milwaukee Panthers in a 12-inning scrimmage Saturday afternoon at 12:05 p.m. The contest will take place at Warner Park, hosted by the Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League.
The Redbirds and Panthers participated in a fall scrimmage at Warner Park in 2025, becoming the first NCAA-sanctioned Division I baseball game played in Madison since 1991, following the disbandment of the University of Wisconsin-Madison baseball program.
Sophomore Brayden Zilis played for the Mallards in 2026, appearing in 19 games throughout the summer. He gathered a slash line of .279/.375/.338 with 19 hits, 14 RBIs, 12 runs scored, and 11 walks. Zilis made five relief appearances for the Mallards, recording a 2-0 record, 4.32 ERA, and nine strikeouts across 8 1/3 innings. Redbird alumni Shuto Tiger Okumura and Shai Robinson spent the 2025 season in Madison as well.
Tickets will be $10 for fans to attend, and concessions will be available for purchase. Warner Park will open its gates at 11:30 a.m. for fans to enter. For more information, please contact the Mallards front office with any questions at either info.mallardsaseball.com or 608-246-4277.
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