Redbirds Sweep Aces on ESPNU
NORMAL, Ill. – The 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.
Leading 5-4 heading into the bottom of the 8th inning, the Redbirds would score nine runs in the frame to secure the series sweep in front of 625 fans.
Sophomore Matthew Donnison provided a strong relief outing, giving the Birds (18-16 overall, 9-3 MVC) 1.2 innings while allowing no runs and only one hit. Senior Joe Husak posted a scoreless 8th inning to get his fourth save of 2025.
Sophomore Luke Stulga extended his hitting streak to a team-best 10 games this season.
Top Hitters:
- Judah Morris: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, 2 R
- Luke Stulga: 2-for-5, 2 RBI, R
- Josh Outlaw: 2-for-5, 3 RBI, 2 R
Pitching Breakdown:
- Tyrelle Chadwick: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
- Matthew Donnison (W, 3-1): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K's
- Joe Husak (S, 4): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB
Scoring Breakdown:
- Evansville pulled ahead early, scoring a run in the top of the 2nd for a 1-0 lead
- After tying the score in the bottom of the 2nd, the Redbirds got their first lead of the game with three runs in the 3rd for a 4-1 advantage
- The Aces scored the game's next three runs to knot the score at 4-4 after six innings
- Morris sent home a run in the 7th with a double to push ILS ahead, 5-4
- The Redbirds sent 14 batters to the plate in the 8th as nine Birds crossed the plate, including the final run via a walk-off walk drawn by Shai Robinson
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Joe Husak records his 11th career save as a Redbird, tying him for third all-time in program history
- Pacella has reached base in 26 straight games
- Across the weekend, Illinois State scored 38 runs with 43 hits
- This is the first series sweep for ILS over Evansville since May 2011
UP NEXT
Illinois State returns to action next weekend as they begin a weekend series against I-74 foe, Bradley, from Friday-Sunday.
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
- 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.
- 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.
