NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball program is set to begin its 2026 campaign as it travels to Cape Girardeau, Mo., for a three-game series with SEMO. The weekend series is set to begin on Friday, February 13, with the first pitch of game one set for 3 p.m.
The season-opening series marks the first contests between the two programs since 2021, when the Redhawks captured a 3-1 series win over Illinois State. Despite the recent series defeat, Illinois State maintains a 17-6-1 advantage over SEMO in the all-time series.
In season-opening contests under eighth-year head coach Steve Holm, the Redbirds hold a 5-2 record, including a victory over No. 2-ranked Arkansas in 2021. The Redbirds' trip to Cape Girardeau, Mo., will kick off a 17-game away stand to start 2026, before it hosts Western Illinois at Duffy Bass Field on Mar. 14.
The Redbirds enter 2026, after closing last season with a 28-28 overall record and a 15-12 mark in conference play. Despite falling short to Belmont in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, the 2025 season marked the first time since 2014 that Illinois State has captured at least 28 wins in back-to-back seasons. The conference win total of 15 also marks the first time in program history the Redbirds have secured 15 or more victories in league play in back-to-back seasons.
As momentum continues to build in Normal, the Redbirds are heading into the new campaign with a refreshed roster, welcoming 23 newcomers for the 2026 season. The overhaul comes after significant departures from the program, including Shai Robinson and Tyrelle Chadwick, who were selected in the 2025 MLB Draft, along with Tanner Perry and Judah Morris, who signed contracts with Major League Baseball organizations.
Amongst the newest Redbirds, 19 additions came via the transfer portal, and four will begin their collegiate careers with Illinois State. In addition to the newest Redbirds, 14 student-athletes from Illinois State's 2025 roster will return for the 2026 season, including All-MVC Honorable Mention Matthew Donnison and projected Redbirds' Opening Day starter Thomas Harper. Donnison and Harper were two of six Redbirds, including Graham Mastros, Brayden Bakes, Reece Clapp, and Luke Stulga, to be named to the MVC Preseason Players to Watch List.
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