McLean County Times

Illinois State University's baseball team faced Murray State in the series opener at Duffy Bass Field, resulting in a 19-8 loss. The match, held on a windy Friday evening, marked the start of the second week of MVC play for the Redbirds.

The Redbirds, with a record of 10-14 overall and 2-2 in the MVC, managed to score 15 hits with Daniel Pacella and Luke Stulga contributing home runs. Illinois State left 11 runners on base throughout the game. Murray State improved to a 15-6 overall record with the same MVC standing as the Redbirds, matching Illinois State’s 2-2 conference record.

In the batting highlights, Daniel Pacella went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Kyle Gibson had a strong showing with a 3-for-4 performance, while Luke Stulga achieved a 2-for-3 scoreline, including a double, home run, and four RBIs.

Illinois State's pitching lineup saw Thomas Harper take the loss, pitching 3.2 innings with eight hits, nine earned runs, three walks, and three strikeouts. MacCallan Conklin, Braden Roesch, Anthony Pardo, and Lawson Minshew each contributed out of the bullpen for the Redbirds.

Scoring opened with Illinois State taking a lead from Pacella's three-run home run in the third inning. However, Murray State bounced back vigorously with a 10-run fourth inning that included a grand slam and a three-run shot. The Racers continued to extend their lead, adding a run in the fifth, followed by four more runs in both the sixth and seventh innings.

Redbird Luke Stulga attempted to close the gap with a three-run homer in the seventh, accumulating three runs for Illinois State.

In individual achievements, Judah Morris extended his on-base streak to 21 consecutive games. Pacella clinched his eighth home run for the season while Stulga marked his fourth.

Illinois State will look to recover as they continue their home series against the Racers on Saturday with a doubleheader. The first game is scheduled for a 1 PM start at Duffy Bass Field in Normal. Fans can follow the team's progress on social media and through the GoRedbirds website and app.

For further updates and information about Illinois State Baseball, visit GoRedbirds.com or follow their social media platforms.