Indiana State (27-12, 6-5) vs. Missouri State (17-22, 3-6)
Bob Warn Field, Terre Haute, IN
- 5:30 p.m. Friday (Petricka, ISU vs. Booden, MSU)
- 1:00 p.m. Saturday (Rodriguez, ISU vs. Doyle, MSU)
- 12:00 p.m. Sunday (Van Skike, ISU vs. Kicham, ISU)
It’s a BIG weekend in Terre Haute. This weekend serves as their Baseball Alumni Weekend. Following Friday’s golf outing, Saturday they dedicate Bob Wanr Field, and Sunday is senior day. A lot going on for a team that appears mediocre in conference. At 6-5, the Sycamores appear like a middle of the pack Valley team. Take a closer look and they lead the Valley in batting average at .321. On the defensive end, they’re second in the league in ERA at 4.66.
The Bears are coming off a series win at home against Creighton. Despite losing the first game they bounced back to win the last two. April showers forced doubleheader Sunday in which the Bears won both. They lost a close game on Wednesday to #7 Arkansas 5-4. Their win in the first game Sunday snapped a 5-game Valley losing streak. The pitching staff is averaging 8.93 strikeouts per game which is good for ninth in the nation.
Illinois State (20-16, 8-1) vs. Wichita State (27-15, 8-4)
Duffy Bass Field, Normal, IL
- 6:00 p.m. Friday (Maines, ISU vs. Cooper, WSU)
- 2:00 p.m. Saturday (Sorkin, ISU vs. Smith, WSU)
- 1:00 p.m. Sunday (Learnard, ISU vs. Kelley, WSU)
At 8-1, the Redbirds lead the Valley in conference winning percentage. Not a bad start for rookie head coach Mark Kingston. Along with their rookie head coach, the Redbirds will put two freshman on the mound to face the Shockers. Freshman Brad Sorkin will be on the mound Saturday and JD Learnard will be the starter on Sunday. Combined those two freshman are 5-3. So far, the Redbirds are in the driver’s seat for the regular season title. Not bad for a team picked fourth in the preseason poll.
Gene Stephenson has the chance to get the Shockers back into the regular season race with three games at Illinois State. The Redbirds are off to a hot start at 8-1. Can the Shockers bring them back down to Earth? The Shockers hit just .236 on the road with a 7.04 ERA. They will have their work cut out for them. Can their success from the midweek carry over to the weekend? On Tuesday, they put up 22 against Kansas and won 22-7 then beat another Big 12 opponent in Oklahoma State 13-7 on Wednesday this week. Both of those games were at home though. Will it be enough momentum to take to Normal?