Redbirds Snap Skid, Avoid Sweep Against University of Evansville

Image courtesy of Illinois State Athletics.

NORMAL, Ill. – A rough week for the Illinois State Redbirds was capped off with a 15-9 win over the University of Evansville Sunday afternoon. ISU would find a three-game skid starting the week with an 11-0 loss to the University of Iowa on Tuesday night. The Redbirds would then travel to Evansville, Indiana, where they would drop the first two of their three-game series to the Purple Aces, falling 2-5 and 0-4 on Friday and Saturday.

Against the University of Iowa, Illinois State saw its nine-game winning streak snapped in an 11-0 loss, as Iowa’s late offensive surge and a two-run seventh-inning homer broke the game open. Despite early solid relief pitching from Carson Cormier, the Redbirds’ offense was held completely silent.

In the weekend series opener against the University of Evansville, Illinois State jumped out to a 2-0 lead behind early RBI efforts from Josh Outlaw and Ryan Bakes. Starting pitcher Thomas Harper delivered a strong outing with eight strikeouts, and the bullpen worked out of key jams to keep the game tied late. However, the game turned in the ninth inning when Evansville launched a walk-off three-run home run, handing the Redbirds a tough 5-2 defeat.

Game two of the series followed a similar frustrating pattern. Illinois State again created early chances, loading the bases in the first inning but failing to score. Pitcher Michael Addari delivered one of his best performances of the season, throwing six innings while allowing just one unearned run. Still, defensive miscues and a lack of timely hitting allowed Evansville to pull away with a 4-0 win, securing the series.

The Redbirds avoided a sweep in the finale with an explosive offensive performance, defeating Evansville 15-9. Graham Mastros led the way with two home runs and six RBIs, while Louis Bussard added four hits and three RBIs. Illinois State totaled 18 hits, its highest mark of the season, and built an early lead that proved enough despite a late Evansville push.

ISU will next face the University of Illinois on Tuesday at 5 pm, where WZND’s Tyler Gall and Adam Tichler will have the call starting at 5:50.

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