Redbirds Drop Game Two Of Weekend Series To MTSU Saturday Afternoon

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. –   The Illinois State baseball program suffered an 8-2 defeat to MTSU Saturday afternoon at Reese Smith Jr. Field. 

The Blue Raiders took an early advantage in the contest with a pair of runs in the opening frame to take a 2-0 lead. An inning later, MTSU used a two-run home run to grow its advantage to 4-0. 

In the top of the fourth, the Redbirds added a run to cut the deficit to 4-1, as Graduate Camden Karczewski drew a bases-loaded walk to give Illinois State its first run in the contest. MTSU added a run with a home run in the bottom half of the frame to move its lead to 5-1. 

In the top of the sixth inning, Sophomore Eric Machej led off the frame with a solo home run to pull a run back for Illinois State and make the score 5-2. The Redbirds continued to try to rally by loading the bases with two outs in the top of the eighth, but the Blue Raiders worked out of the jam to preserve their lead. In the bottom half of the frame, MTSU added to its advantage with a two-RBI double to extend its lead to 8-2. 

NOTES 

• Junior Graham Mastros recorded a 2-for-5 performance, marking his fourth multi-hit game of the season. 

• Junior Ryan Bakes added a pair of hits with a 2-for-4 game, to earn his third multi- performance of the season and his first since the season-opening series against SEMO. 

• With four strikeouts in the game, Junior Michael Addari has notched three or more punchouts in all three of his appearances to open 2026. 

• Addari tossed a career-best 5.0 innings after entering the contest in the third inning. 

• Junior Carson Cormier tallied three strikeouts in his second start of the season and has recorded three or more punchouts in all three appearances. 

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