The Illinois State baseball team earned a 9-4 win over Belmont to open Missouri Valley Conference play on March 20 at Duffy Bass Field. With this victory, the Redbirds improved their season record to 15-7.
The game was highlighted by redshirt sophomore Brayden Bakes, who hit three home runs and matched his career-best total. Bakes also recorded four hits for the second consecutive game, joining teammate Graham Mastros as the only Redbirds this season with three home runs and five RBIs in a single contest. Junior Ryan Bakes contributed two hits and achieved his first multi-RBI performance of the season, while graduate Camden Karczewski extended his hitting streak to nine games with two hits, including a double.
After taking an early lead with a solo home run from Brayden Bakes, Illinois State fell behind when Belmont responded with two home runs in the third inning. The Redbirds narrowed the gap in the bottom half of that inning and tied the score in the fourth. In the seventh inning, Illinois State regained control on a passed ball and then extended its lead with a double from Ryan Bakes. Brayden Bakes capped off his performance with another home run in the eighth inning.
Senior Thomas Harper and relievers Foley, Okumura, and Clapp combined for five scoreless innings after Belmont’s four-run third inning, limiting their opponents to just two hits for the remainder of the game.
According to the official website, Illinois State Redbirds benefits from the Redbird Athletics Excellence Fund for competitiveness and recruitment. The team is linked to Illinois State University according to official sources and competes in NCAA Division I events across various regions according to official sources. The OSF HealthCare Athletics Training Center supports student-athlete preparation according to official sources. Fans can find news, schedules, rosters, and resources through official channels according to official sources.
The win marks Illinois State’s seventh straight victory—its longest streak under coach Steve Holm—and its fourth conference-opening win during Holm’s tenure.
