Illinois State Falls, 6-5, to Open Series vs Bradley
NORMAL, Ill. – The 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.
A home run from sophomore Graham Mastros and junior Daniel Pacella provided key runs as the Redbirds (18-17 overall, 9-4 MVC) battled back from an 4-1 deficit to ultimately tie the game in the 7th.
The Braves (6-27, 2-11 MVC) would hit back-to-back home runs in the 8th for the one-run victory.
Top Hitters:
- Graham Mastros: 2-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI
- Daniel Pacella: 1-for-4, HR, RBI, R
- Josh Outlaw: 2-for-3, RBI, R
Pitching Breakdown:
- Thomas Harper: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB
- Tresdon Rybarczyk: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K's
- Matthew Donnison (L, 3-2): 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
- Joe Husak: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB
Scoring Breakdown:
- Bradley pulled ahead early, scoring a run in the bottom of the 1st with an RBI single
- Kyle Gibson tallied an RBI single in the 5th to knot the score at 1-1
- The Braves scored off a passed ball and two-run home run in the bottom of the 5th to retake the lead at 4-1
- Mastros knocked out home run no. three of the year in the 6th to trim the margin to 4-3
- Pacella tied the game in the 7th with a solo shot to make it 4-4, his 11th home run of the year
- Outlaw gave ILS the lead in the 8th with an RBI single for the 5-4 advantage
- Back-to-back solo home runs in the bottom of the 8th allowed Bradley to take a 6-5 lead for the game one victory
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Pacella has reached base in 27 straight games
- The Redbirds move to 9-3 at home this season
UP NEXT
Illinois State and Bradley return to Duffy Bass Field for a Saturday doubleheader to end the series. First pitch on Saturday is set for 1 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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Latest Men's Baseball News
- 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.
- Illinois State Tops Evansville to Clinch SeriesIllinois State baseball clinches its series versus Evansville with a 7-1 win behind 14 Redbird hits on Saturday at Duffy Bass Field.
