Redbird Offense Leads to Victory Over Beacons, 18-3
VALPARAISO, Ind. – Valparaiso scored first, but the Illinois State baseball team was clicking on all cylinders on Saturday at Emory G. Bauer Field as five players totaled a pair of RBIs to lead the Redbirds to a 18-3 win over Valparaiso.
Illinois State (14-15 overall, 6-2 MVC) was led by junior Daniel Pacella who finished 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 as the Birds led 10-3 after five innings.
Senior Carter Monke threw three scoreless innings in relief, conceding only four hits to the Beacons (7-19 overall, 2-6 MVC).
Top Hitters:
- Daniel Pacella: 2-for-4, HR, 2B, 5 RBI
- Noah Smith: 3-for-4, 2B, RBI, 3 R
- Brayden Bakes: 3-for-5, 3B, 3 RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
- Tanner Perry: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K's
- Carter Monke (W, 3-5): 3.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
- Ryan Weaver: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K's
- Toby Schriefer: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's
Scoring Breakdown:
- Valparaiso scored three runs in the bottom of the 1st thanks to an RBI single and two Redbird wild pitches
- The Redbirds' bats went off for six runs in the top of the 3rd. ILS scored off an RBI double by Shai Robinson, two-RBI double from Daniel Pacella, throwing error by Valparaiso's catcher, sac fly by Graham Mastros, and RBI single from Daniel Contreras
- Pacella would expand the lead to 9-3 in the 4th with a three-run home run to right field
- Kyle Gibson added on for the Birds with an RBI single in the 5th to make it 10-3 ILS
- Illinois State scored eight runs off six hits in the 6th to put the game away at 18-3
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Judah Morris has reached base in 26 straight games
- Pacella tallies his 10th home run of the season, tied for the team lead with Morris
- The last time ILS scored exactly 18 runs came to open the 2024 campaign versus St. Thomas (18-12)
- When playing in Valparaiso, the Birds are 5-4 under Steve Holm.
UP NEXT
Illinois State concludes the weekend at Valparaiso on Sunday at 1 PM from Emory G. Bauer Field.
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).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
Latest Men's Baseball News
- Illinois State Falls, 6-5, to Open Series vs BradleyThe Illinois State baseball team kept it close, but would never lead, as the Redbirds dropped the series opener to Bradley by a final of 6-5 on Friday at Duffy Bass Field.
- Shai Robinson Tabbed to Brooks Wallace Award Watch ListIllinois State junior Shai Robinson has been named to the 2025 Watch List for the Brooks Wallace Award, which was released Friday by the College Baseball Foundation.
- Redbird Baseball Series vs. Bradley AdjustedDue to expected inclement rain and storms in the area on Sunday and conflicting schedules, this weekend's baseball series between Illinois State and Bradley has been adjusted.
- Illinois State Primed for MVC Series Against BravesIllinois 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.
- Pacella Earns MVC Player of The Week HonorsFollowing a stellar four-game stretch, junior Daniel Pacella was awarded MVC Player of the Week honors as announced by the league office Monday.
- Redbirds Sweep Aces on ESPNUThe Illinois State baseball team recorded a run-rule 14-4 victory over Evansville (11-24 overall, 5-7 MVC) in eight innings on nationally televised ESPNU at Duffy Bass Field on Sunday.
