Bradley (6-17, 0-6 MVC) vs. Missouri State (12-16, 1-2 MVC)
O’Brien Field, Peoria, IL
- 6:00 p.m. Friday (Meade, BU vs. Booden, MSU)
- 4:00 p.m. Saturday (Cooper, BU vs. Doyle, MSU)
- 1:00 p.m. Sunday (Bircher, BU vs. Kicham, MSU)
Bradley and Missouri State meet with both teams currently occupying the bottom of the MVC standings. However, one seems to be headed in the right direction while the other is at a bit off a stand still.
Missouri State has won four in a row, including a midweek victory over Oklahoma State in Springfield. The Bears are getting good offensive production and solid pitching: They are hitting .343 as a team in the past nine games with 36 extra base hits, and their pitching staff has struck out an impressive 235 batters in the past 245 innings.
The Braves are on the other side of the spectrum. They have lost their last nine games (BU hasn’t won since March 19) and are hitting a mere .280 as a team. The series against Missouri State marks Bradley’s first Valley home series of the season.
Wichita State (20-8, 5-1 MVC) vs. Southern Illinois (15-14, 4-2 MVC)
Eck Stadium, Wichita, KS
- 7:00 Saturday (Cooper, WSU vs. Bradley, SIU)
- 2:00 Saturday (Kelley, WSU vs. Forer, SIU)
- 1:00 Sunday (Smith, WSU vs. Hoelscher, SIU)
Wichita State skipper Gene Stephenson joined an elite club last weekend, becoming only the second coach in Division I baseball history to reach 1,700 wins. It will take a solid effort from the Shockers to help Stephenson increase that win total this weekend, as the second place Salukis come to town.
As winners of 8 of their last 10 games, the Shockers seem to be in good position to make it 9 for 11. Jordan Cooper, Friday’s starter, is an impressive 2-0 with a 1.09 ERA at Eck Stadium this season.
The Salukis will have first place in their sights and will look to counter WSU’s solid pitching staff with a balanced offensive attack; SIU hits .364 as a team. Although the Salukis’ pitching is a bit shaky, with SIU hurlers posting a 6.89 ERA, they have been able to pull out six wins in a row.