Redbirds MVC tournament run ends with loss to Evansville
Written by Connor Allyn on May 21, 2026
Image Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics
Murray, Ky. — Following their day one loss at the hands of the Murray State Racers Wednesday night, Illinois State baseball dropped a day two elimination game with the Evansville Purple Aces 6-3, ending the Redbirds 2026 campaign.
The Redbirds bats were active early with Michael Carrano Jr. doubling in the first inning to give the Redbirds the early 1-0 lead. However, it wouldn’t take long for the Purple Aces to respond with Charlie Longmeier scoring on a wild pitch and Drew McConnell hitting an RBI double to give Evansville a 2-1 lead in the third inning.
In the fourth inning, Josh Outlaw scored Carrano Jr. on an RBI single to tie the game at two apiece. The senior Outlaw finished 1-4 with a strikeout on the day.
Following an intentional walk for Brayden Bakes, the Redbirds had the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Graham Mastros hit a sacrifice fly to score Machej and give the Redbirds a 3-2 lead. In the bottom half of the fifth, Evansville would threaten the Redbirds with runners in scoring position. However, Redbirds starting pitcher Michael Addari guided the Redbirds to safety, stranding the runner at third to maintain the one run lead.
Addari finished the day going 5.0 innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out seven.
The Purple Aces would break through the Redbirds bullpen in the seventh inning, capitalizing on a leadoff walk before an RBI double from Longmeier tied the game at three apiece. That same inning, an RBI single by Spike Magill gave Evansville the 4-3 lead.
In the eight inning, Reagan Reeder hit a leadoff home run to to push the Evansville lead to 5-3. Later that inning, Simon Schulz singled to score Harrison Taubert and extend the lead to 6-3.
The Redbirds would ground out in order in the top of the ninth inning, securing the Evansville Victory.
Illinois State finishes their season at 33-24 overall with a 13-11 record in the Missouri Valley Conference.
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