Redbirds Drop Saturday Doubleheader to Braves
NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball team dropped a Saturday doubleheader against I-74 foe, Bradley, at Duffy Bass Field. The Birds fell in extras in game one, 14-13, in 12 innings before falling in game two, 7-5.
Game One
Bradley started hot with four runs in the 1st inning before Illinois State stormed back to take a 5-4 lead in the 5th off a grand slam by Daniel Pacella and a solo home run from Judah Morris.
The Braves would immediately respond in the bottom of the 5th with three runs of their own to regain momentum at 7-5.
The Redbirds trimmed the margin to one off an RBI single from Luke Stulga in the 6th for a 7-6 game before Bradley padded the lead with the game's next six runs to extend the lead to 13-6.
Illinois State would rally back in the top of the 8th to tie the score at 13-13 with an RBI walk from Kyle Gibson, sac fly from Shai Robinson, RBI single from Pacella, and a grand slam by Brayden Bakes.
After four scoreless frames, the Braves got the walk-off victory with an RBI double in the 12th to secure the series.
Game Two
Illinois State scored first with an RBI single from Josh Outlaw in the top of the 2nd to make it 1-0.
Bradley took the lead in the 3rd with two runs to make it 2-1. The Braves added a run in the 5th and four in the 7th to spread the lead to 7-1.
The Redbirds scored the game's final four runs in the 8th inning, including a two-run home from Pacella, but would see their comeback effort fall short at 7-5.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Game One
- Daniel Pacella recorded his second career grand slam as a Redbird
- Judah Morris tallied his 11th home run of the season
- Brayden Bakes hit his first career grand slam and seventh home run of 2025
Game Two
- Pacella's HR marks the third consecutive game with a HR for the junior
- Judah Morris and Graham Mastros were the lone Redbirds with multiple hits, going a combined 4-for-9
- Cam Hill recorded his first RBI as a Redbird with a bases loaded walk in the 8th
UP NEXT
Illinois State is scheduled to play host to Northern Illinois on Wednesday with first pitch set for 5 PM in Normal.
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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