Redbirds Open Conference Play With Sweep Over Bruins

Image Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State University baseball team open Missouri Valley Conference play with a three-game sweep over the Belmont Bruins this weekend.

Game one on March 20 saw Sophomore Brayden Bakes go 4-5 with three home runs, five total RBIs and three runs of his own. Bakes would go 8-13 in the three game set, adding another home run in game three on March 22. Bakes provided his thoughts on his three home run performance and what he was seeing at the plate as he continues his dominance at the dish.

“I just kept hitting them.  Made an adjust, because I think all three home runs were on two strikes,” said Bakes. “Just made an adjustment mid at-bat and saw the pitches up and hit a ball.”

With the three-game sweep, ISU now improves to 17-7 overall with a perfect 3-0 mark in MVC play.  The Redbirds also make it 9 straight victories, having not a lost a game since March 8 at Eastern Kentucky.  Head Coach Steve Holm shared his thoughts on his club is playing, while keeping things down to earth.

“Whenever you win a couple games in a row you got to pitch good, you got to play good defense and you got to have timely hitting,” said Holm. “I thought our timely hitting was really good today.”

ISU looks to extend the win streak to double-digits when they host the Iowa Hawkeyes on March 24 at Duffy Bass Field. Pitch is slated for 5 p.m.

For all things Redbird baseball, stay tuned to wznd.com.