NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State will hit the road this weekend, as they return to Missouri Valley Conference play against Southern Illinois from April 25-27.

The Redbirds will look for continued success against the Salukis, winning seven of the last 10 meetings against their in-state foe.

SCHEDULE

Friday at 6 PM | STATS | RADIO

Saturday at 2 PM | STATS | RADIO

Sunday at 1 PM | STATS | RADIO

ABOUT THE SALUKIS

Southern Illinois is 28-12 this season, 10-5 in MVC play, and 17-6 at home in 2025. The Salukis were last in action on April 22, as they secured a 12-6 road win over SEMO.

The Redbirds and Salukis have met 201 times previously, as Illinois State leads the series, 104-96-1. Their first meeting was in 1948.

Last season, Illinois State swept the Salukis in Normal as they outscored the Salukis 27-6 across the weekend.

GROWING THEIR REDBIRD LEGACY

Illinois State junior Daniel Pacella continues to be a strong contributor in the Redbird offense.

As of April 24, the Mundelein native has totaled a team-best 47 RBIs this year. Pacella has recorded 164 total RBIs at Illinois State, third most in program history.

The junior is only four RBIs away from sole possession of second all-time in ISU history.

Pacella also sits tied for second all-time in career HRs with 41 alongside Frank Mustari (1985-87).

On the mound, senior Joe Husak moved his career save total as a Redbird to 11 after closing the door against Evansville on April 13.

Husak is tied with Jacob Gilmore (2017-20*) for third all-time in career saves.

WIN NO. 150

Illinois State head coach Steve Holm picked up career win no. 150 on April 5, thanks to an 18-3 win over Valparaiso.

Holm is the sixth head coach in program history (Harold Frye, Duffy Bass, Jeff Stewart, Jim Brownlee, Mark Kingston) to win at least 150 games as head coach at Illinois State.

AMONG THE VALLEY BEST

As of April 24, Illinois State sits second in team batting average (.305), third in team ERA (6.23), and third in team fielding percentage (.975).

Meanwhile, individually, Daniel Pacella continues to lead the Missouri Valley Conference in the following categories: batting average (.392), slugging percentage (.758), OPS (1.234), and hits (60).

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.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at goredbirds.com/tickets.

ON DECK

Illinois State travels to Carbondale, Illinois, for a weekend MVC series against the Southern Illinois Salukis from April 25-27.

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.