Redbirds strike first in season opener against SEMO

Image courtesy of Illinois State Athletics

NORMAL, Ill.- The Illinois State University baseball team defeated Southeast Missouri State University in back-to-back games in their season-opening double header, 12-1 in the first game and 7-6 in the second.

In game one, the Redbirds were led by second baseman Graham Mastros, who had 3 home runs and 5 rbis on the afternoon. This start comes after the second year Redbird was named as one of six players to watch on ISU in the Missouri Valley Conference this season.

ISU never trailed in the game as they reached a score of 3-0 before SEMO’s only score of the game in the form of a sacrifice fly.

Starting pitcher Thomas Harper went 5 innings, putting up 3 strikeouts, and only giving up 3 hits and one earned run.

Catcher Ryan Bakes and center fielder Luke Stulga each put up a singular home run for the Redbirds in the opening victory.

In game two, the Redbirds saw an impressive outing from both Luke Stulga and Eric Machej. Stulga put up 4 hits for two rbi’s while the third baseman, Machej, found 3 hits for 2 rbi’s himself.

Unlike the first game, in which the Redbirds only used two pitchers, ISU brought a bullpen battle to game two with five pitchers stepping up to face SEMO. Bradley Transfer Reece Clapp recorded the Redbirds’ first save of the year, striking out two and walking one in .2 innings of play.

The Redbirds will face SEMO in the final game of their three-game series Sunday at 1 in Cape Girardau Missouri.

For all things Redbird baseball, stay tuned to WZND.