NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball program is set to take on Middle Tennessee State in a three-game series beginning on Friday, Feb. 20, from Reese Smith Jr. Field in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
The Redbirds travel to the Volunteer State after securing a 14-2 win in seven innings over Alabama A&M in Huntsville, Ala., on Wednesday. Illinois State's run total of 14 is the most scored in a contest this season and the most by a Redbirds team since a 14-4 victory over Indiana State in last season's Missouri Valley Conference tournament.
In the mid-week win, four Redbirds tallied two hits in the victory, including Senior Josh Outlaw, who extended his hitting streak to six games, marking the most from an Illinois State player this season. Outlaw leads the Redbirds with a batting average of .478. Redshirt Sophomore Brayden Bakes tallied his second home run of the campaign with a three-run home run in the sixth inning.
The weekend series with the Blue Raiders marks the first matchup between the two programs since 2002. MTSU holds the advantage in the all-time series with a 5-4 lead.
Illinois State assistant coach Brad Jarreau is set to take on his alma mater as an assistant for the first time in his coaching career. In four years with the Blue Raiders, Jarreau recorded a batting average of .317 and amassed 198 hits in his career.
MTSU enters the weekend set with a 6-2 record after capturing an 11-1 win in eight innings over Tennessee Tech in its most recent contest. The Blue Raiders are led by fourth-year head coach Jerry Meyers, who previously served as a pitching coach and associate head coach with the program.
PROJECTED STARTERS
GAME ONE - Friday, Feb. 27, 3 p.m.
Senior Thomas Harper is set to take the mound for the Redbirds in the series opener on Friday. In two starts to open the season, Harper has limited his opponents to just two runs on six hits. In nine innings pitched to open 2026, Harper has notched seven strikeouts.
GAME TWO - Saturday, Feb. 28, 1 p.m.
Redshirt Sophomore Carson Cormier is projected to start on Saturday for Illinois State just one week after making his first career start at the collegiate level. In two appearances this season, Cormier has tossed seven innings and has recorded eight strikeouts.
GAME THREE - Sunday, March 1, 1 p.m.
Redshirt Freshman Luke Teschke is in line to make his third start of 2026 on Sunday for the Redbirds. In two starts, Teschke has recorded three strikeouts and limited his opponents to just one hit in 4.1 innings pitched.
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