McLean County Times

Illinois State University's baseball team faced a difficult loss against Valparaiso with a 3-2 defeat in extra innings. The match, held at Emory G. Bauer Field, saw junior pitcher Tyrelle Chadwick deliver a solid performance. Chadwick pitched 8.1 innings, allowing just one run and seven hits while striking out five batters.

Illinois State, boasting an overall record of 14-16 and a conference record of 6-3, managed six hits throughout the game. Freshman Brayden Bakes stood out with a key home run, driving in two runs during the fourth inning. Other notable performances included contributions from Kyle Gibson and Luke Stulga, each recording multiple hits.

The Redbirds initially took the lead in the fourth inning with Bakes's two-run homer. However, Valparaiso came back in the ninth, scoring two runs to tie the game and taking it to extra innings. The Beacons then won the game with a single in the 10th inning, handing Illinois State a close defeat.

Among the notable achievements during the game, Pacella extended his on-base streak to 22 straight games, and Bakes hit his sixth home run of the year. Gibson achieved his 13th multi-hit game, while Stulga now has six multi-hit games this season.

Illinois State will look to bounce back as they begin a four-game homestand starting with a matchup against Illinois on Tuesday at Duffy Bass Field. Updates and more details about the team can be found on GoRedbirds.com and through their social media channels.