NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State baseball will look to win its fifth MVC series this season, as the program shifts their focus towards a three-game series against the Bradley Braves.

Due to expected inclement rain and storms in the area on Sunday and conflicting schedules, the programs will now meet at Duffy Bass Field for all three games. The updated schedule for the weekend is listed below.

SCHEDULE

Friday at 3 PM | STATS

Saturday at 1 PM | STATS 

Saturday at 4 PM | STATS

ABOUT THE BRADLEY BRAVES

The Braves are 5-27 in 2025, including 1-11 in MVC play, and 7-17 on the road.

The Redbirds and Bradley have met 237 times previously, as Illinois State leads the series, 121-116. Their first meeting was in 1901.

In 2024, Illinois State dropped the first two of three in the series to the Braves before defending home turf with a 12-3 series finale victory in Normal.

GROWING THEIR REDBIRD LEGACY

Junior Daniel Pacella recorded career RBI no. 150 as part of a 14-4 win for the Redbirds victory over in-state foe, Illinois, on April 8.

As of April 17, Pacella holds 155 career RBIs as a Redbird, the fourth most in program history.

Pacella also sits third all-time with 38 career home runs, three behind Frank Mustari (1985-87) who finished his Redbird career with 41 home runs.

On the mound, senior Joe Husak has recorded 11 career saves at ILS, tying him for third all-time in program history with Jeremy Rhoades (2012-14).

WIN NO. 150

Illinois State head coach Steve Holm picked up career win no. 150 on April 5 as part of a 18-3 win over Valparaiso.

Pacella led the Redbird bats, going 2-for-4 on the day with five RBIs and a home run.

The Redbirds also saw multiple hits from senior Kyle Gibson, freshman Brayden Bakes, senior Daniel Contreras, and senior Noah Smith.

AMONG THE VALLEY BEST

As of April 17, Illinois State sits second in team batting average (.306), fourth in team ERA (6.01), and third in team fielding percentage (.975).

Meanwhile, individually, Daniel Pacella leads the Missouri Valley Conference in the following categories:

-       batting average (1st - .407)

-       slugging percentage (1st - .756)

-       OPS (1st – 1.244)

ILLINOIS STATE TO HOST MVC TOURNAMENT

The 2025 Missouri Valley Conference Championships will take place from Duffy Bass Field in Normal, Illinois. 

The eight-team tournament opens on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, and is scheduled to run through Saturday, May 24, 2025.

This is the first time Illinois State will host the MVC Championships since 2019. 

ON DECK

Illinois State will host Northern Illinois on Wednesday, April 23 in a midweek from Duffy Bass Field. First pitch against the Huskies is set for 5 PM.

For the latest updates on Illinois State Baseball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com, follow the Redbirds on X (@RedbirdBaseball) and Instagram (isuredbirdbaseball), and like the team on Facebook (Illinois State Baseball).

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