Life in the Valley

Redbirds Sweeps Leads Way to MVC’s 17-15 Weekend

While this appears to be another season where there weren’t be much talk about the Missouri Valley Conference being a multi-bid league when Selection Monday arrives for NCAA Regionals, the Valley is more than holding its own 3 weeks into the 2024 college baseball season. Valley teams are 58-51 overall so far in non-conference play, and the league went 17-15 over the third weekend of play. Seven of the 10 Valley schools have overall records of at least .500, with Indiana State leading the way at 8-3.

Here’s a look at each team’s weekend and what’s ahead as we start another week in the greatest sport on Earth (or any other planet – what possible sport could there be on another planet that would be better than college baseball).

Illinois State Sweeps Pine Bluff

The Redbirds (5-5) rolled to a 3-game sweep at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, winning by scores of 8-2, 5-0, and 13-3. Luke Lawrence went 3-for-5 with 3 runs, 3 RBIs, a double, and a triple in the series finale (he also stole a base and was hit by a pitch), while Noah Rabin added 2 hits, including a homer, and 4 RBIs. Starter Thomas Harper fanned 7 in just 3 innings, then Joe Husak got the win with 4 innings of scoreless relief, allowing 0 walks and striking out 6. Illinois State struck out 14 UAPB (6-5) batters in the Sunday win.

In the series opener, it might be crazy, but Cameron Mabee pitched 6 innings without allowing an earned run, walking 1 and fanning 6 in the 8-2 Redbirds’ victory. On Saturday, Tyrelle Chadwick, a sophomore from Kamloops, British Columbia, dominated Pine Bluff, throwing a 1-hitter with 0 walks and 12 strikeouts. He faced just 2 batters over the minimum (he hit one batter). Rabin homered in that win and drove in 3.

What’s Next: Illinois State takes the midweek off in preparation for a 3-game series at #9 Vanderbilt (10-3). The Commodores beat Indiana State (20-4) and Evansville (7-3) last week before sweeping through the Houston College Classic with wins over Louisiana (7-4), Houston (3-1), and Texas (14-11).

Racers Turn in Fine Effort vs. #2 Arkansas

Three games at 2nd-ranked Arkansas were always going to be a tough assignment for Murray State (6-5), and the Razorbacks got the better of the Racers, 5-1, 11-1, and 5-3. But Murray State had chances in Game 1 despite falling behind 3-1 after 2 innings. In the 8th, the Racers put 2 runners on with no outs. After Arkansas retired the lead runner on a bunt, the Razorbacks turned to Gabe Gaeckle to relieve Koty Frank. Facing Drew Vogel, the two engaged in epic duel, with Vogel fouling off 6 pitches and working an 11-pitch at-bat. But Gaeckle finally got the better of him on a 3-2 pitch for the strikeout. Dustin Mercer then struck out looking to end the threat. The Razorbacks (9-2) scored 2 insurance runs in the 8th inning to put the game away. Cade Vernon worked 7 strong innings for Murray State, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts against an Arkansas team hitting .289 on the season with an .850 team OPS.

After falling 11-1 on Saturday, Murray rallied to within a run at 4-3 in the 7th inning of the Sunday finale when Vogel (.333-3-9; 1.034 OPS) homered to left. But Arkansas answered that run after the Stretch, scoring on a double play ball to retake a 2-run lead at 5-3. The Racers put 2 on in the 8th but couldn’t cash in, then Vogel singled with 2 outs in the 9th but he was the last baserunner for the weekend.

Carson Garner now has 6 HRs and 14 RBIs to lead the Racers, along with a .361 average.

What’s Next: Murray State welcomes Arkansas State to Reagan Field on Tuesday, then travels to North Alabama Wednesday. The weekend brings Lindenwood to Murray for a 3-game set.

Purple Power Launches Aces Past .500

Evansville advanced to 7-5 on the season by taking 3 of 4 at home against Purdue Fort Wayne. There was no shortage of offense in the series, as the Purple Aces won Friday, 18-5, fell in Saturday’s opener, 11-3, then took the final 2 games by scores of 16-3 and 10-9. UE has now scored 125 runs in 12 games, good for 6th in the country behind only Texas Tech, Saint Louis, Wofford, Coastal Carolina and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. UE is now hitting .345 and stands 2nd in the country in doubles with 41, behind only Texas Tech’s 45. But in a sign of what a team effort this Evansville offense has been, the Purple Aces have no single player with more than 7 doubles (Brendan Hord). Twelve different Purple Aces have doubled this season. That’s helped UE’s continue to sport a monstrous team OPS of 1.016.

Seven different UE regulars have an OPS of at least .995, led by Mark Shallenberger’s 1.326. A graduate senior from St. Louis, Shallenberger is riding an 11-game hitting streak in which he’s gone 21-for-44 (.477). In 62 plate appearances, he’s struck out a Tony Gwynn-esque 3 times. He’s now 31 hits away from 200 for his career, and could finish his career with 50 doubles, 30 homers, and 100 walks. He went 8-for-14 over the weekend with 6 runs and 4 RBIs.

Not to be outdone, Simon Scherry had 6 RBIs in the opener and 7 for the weekend while Ty Rumsey had 5 on Friday and 8 for the weekend. B.J. Peart went 3-for-3 in the lone loss. UE used an 8-run 5th to put away Game 3, 16-3. Harrison Taubert had 4 hits and 4 RBIs in the win. Kip Fougerousse drove in 3 in the series finale.

What’s Next: A big test waits the Purple Aces offense, as Evansville visits the town affectionately known as StarkVegas this weekend for a 3-game series at Mississippi State. All 3 games will be available on SEC Network+. State is 8-4, coming off a 3-game sweep of Mount St. Mary’s.

Bears Score 35 Runs to Take 2 of 3

Missouri State’s (6-5) offense had a bit of a field day over the weekend, as well, scoring 35 runs in 8-2 and 15-5 wins and a 14-12 loss to visiting Arkansas State. Taeg Gollert went 3-for-5 with 2 doubles, a run, and 3 RBIs on Friday, while Nick Rodriguez and Dylan Leach each drove in a pair of runs. Brandt Thompson got the job done on the mound, pitching 6 innings and allowing just 1 run on 4 hits with 0 walks and 6 strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 3.07. Tyler Tscherter retired all 6 men he faced to close out the last 2 innings.

On Saturday, Missouri State held a 9-2 lead after 3 innings, only to see Arkansas State respond with 6-run frames in both the 4th and 5th innings to take a 14-9 lead. The Bears wouldn’t quit, however, scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th before running out of outs as the Red Wolves claimed a 14-12 victory. Jahlani Rogers went 2-for-4 with 2 runs and 3 RBIs in the loss, while Tyler Epstein drove in 4. Rogers and Epstein both homered, while Zack Stewart hit his 4th HR of the season.

The Bears rolled Sunday, 15-5, led by Stewart, who homered twice and drove in 5 runs as part of a 3-hit day. Caden Bogenpohl and Rogers each drove in 3 runs, as well. Down 5-1 in the 4th inning, Missouri State exploded for 7 runs, then adding 3 more in the 5th and 2 in the 6th to pull away. Tyler Charlton pitched 3 scoreless inning with 0 walks and 3 strikeouts to get a save.

What’s Next: Missouri State takes the midweek off before traveling to Central Arkansas for 3 games this weekend. UCA is 7-6 this season (2 of those losses were to LSU), but the Bears also swept Southern Illinois earlier this season.

Beacons Enjoy Successful Weekend

Valparaiso started the weekend with a pair of victories over Elon, a strong bump for the Beacons even though Elon is 4-7 this season. One of Elon’s wins had come against UNC-Greensboro – which is the only team to beat #1 Wake Forest this season (4-3 on Feb. 20). Valpo closed the weekend in Winston-Salem, N.C. with a 3-2 loss to Binghamton.

In the 9-4 win, Kevin Denty hit a pair of homers, including solo shots in the 2nd and 4th innings, as part of a 4-for-4 day that featured 3 runs and 3 RBIs. Denty’s sacrifice fly in the 6th inning gave Valpo a 9-3 lead. Chase Maifield also drove in 3 runs for the Beacons on a 5th-inning homer. Trent Turzenski pitched 4 innings of scoreless, 1-hit relief with 1 walk and 4 strikeouts to get the victory.

On Saturday, Valpo grabbed its second win over Elon, this time in Winston-Salem, 7-5. Kyle Schmack homered as the 2nd batter of the game for Valparaiso (4-6), while Maifled earned another RBI with a 1st-inning sac fly. After Elon closed to within 3-2 in the 5th, Valpo added 1 run on an error and then another on an RBI single by Kaleb Hannahs. In the 7th, Maifield singled in 2 more runs to make it 7-2. Josh Cottrill worked 5 innings as the starter to earn the win, allowing 1 earned run (2 total) on 6 hits with 1 walk and 3 srikeouts.

Schmack has 4 homers and 10 RBIs this season, both team highs, and his .316 average leads the way, as well. In 3 starts, Cottrill is 2-1 with a 3.75 ERA. He’s walked just 4 in 12 innings, while striking out 12. Lucas Foley (1-1, 5.14) leads the Beacons in strikeouts with 14 (14 innings).

What’s Next: Valpo’s southern tour continues with a game at Jacksonville on Tuesday, followed by a 3-game set at The Citadel this weekend. Valpo will visit Gardner-Webb and Campbell before finally coming home on March 19 vs. Ball State.

Sycamores Drop 2 of 3 at Southern Miss

Indiana State’s non-conference run of quality opponents continued over the weekend as the Sycamores found themselves in Hattiesburg, Miss., to take on Southern Mississippi. The Golden Eagles prevailed on Friday and Saturday but the Sycamores struck back Sunday to take a 12-5 victory. Indiana State is now 8-3 this season, while Southern Miss is 8-4.

In the Sunday win, Parker Stinson had a huge game, going 2-for-5 with a homer and 5 RBIs to lead the Sycamores past the Golden Eagles. Stinson’s grand slam in the 1st inning powered Indiana State to a 5-0 lead before Southern Miss even came to the plate. Dominic Listi’s RBI single accounted for Indiana State’s other first-inning run.

The Sycamores added 2 more runs in the 4th on Grant Magill’s RBI single, then a sac fly foul out from Randal Diaz that scored Dom Krupinski. Adam Pottinger singled in 2 runs in the 9th inning as the Sycamores added 4 more runs in their last at-bat to put the game away. Jared Spencer got the win in relief. He gave up 1 run on 3 hits in 2.1 innings, getting 6 of his 7 outs by strikeout. Indiana State pitchers struck out 11 Golden Eagles in the victory.

What’s Next: Indiana State heads south this weekend for a 4-game, 3-day series at Florida A&M. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday. FAMU is 5-6 after splitting a Saturday doubleheader with Grambling.

UIC Downs MAC Opponent for Series Win

The UIC Flames improved to 6-5 on the season by taking 2 out of 3 games at Ohio University over the weekend. UIC won the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, 5-0, then fell, 3-2 in the nightcap. On Sunday, UIC earned the series victory with a 7-3 win.

A.J. Henkle homered twice for the Flames in the Game 1 win, hitting solo shots in the 2nd and 5th innings. Ohio then got the ZZ Top experience, as Zane Zielinski hit a 2-run shot in the 3rd inning, also scoring Carson Roberts. That was more than enough run support for Dillon Schueler, who started and pitched 7 scoreless innings with just 6 hits allowed, 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. Rigel Verciglio worked the last 2 innings, allowing 2 hits with 0 runs or walks. Schueler improved to 2-0 on the season with a 1.80 ERA. The 7 innings pitched were a season high for the sophomore out of Rock Falls, Ill.

After the tough 3-2 loss in Saturday’s second game in which Zielinski went 2-for-4 and scored both runs, UIC responded with a 7-1 victory in the series finale. The Flames scored 5 runs in the first 2 innings, 1 on another Zielinski homer int e 2nd. Jackson Bessette singled in a run in the 1st and doubled in another in the 2nd, on his way to a 3-hit day in which he also scored twice. A.J. Taylor had 3 hits in the win, as well. Kendall Lyons went 8 strong innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits with 1 walk. He got 24 outs on 90 pitches, an impressive 3.75 pitches per out.

What’s Next: UIC will host Milwaukee on Tuesday before St. Thomas comes to Chicago for 4 games this weekend. The Tommies, relatively new to Division 1, are 5-6 this season and split 2 games opening weekend against Illinois State. St. Thomas, who will visit Iowa Tuesday before playing the Flames, is coming off losing 2 of 3 at Southern Indiana.

Braves Sweep Omaha, Fall to Lindenwood

Bradley started the weekend in promising fashion, taking a pair of games from Omaha in a neutral-site set at St. Charles, Mo., before losing 2 games to Lindenwood. The Braves opened play with a 6-0 victory over the Mavericks, holding Omaha to 3 hits on the arm of Noah Edders (2-1, 3.72, 4 BB, 19 K in 19.1 IP), who walked 1 and struck out 10 in 8 innings. Beau Durbin had 2 hits and 2 RBIs in the victory. He knocked in both runs with a double in the 4th that opened the scoring. Cole Luckey scored on a passed ball later in the inning. In the 8th, Jackson Chatterton doubled in Luckey to make it 4-0, and Timmy O’Brien’s 2-run double capped the scoring.

A 4-run 3rd inning propelled Bradley to victory in Game 2 vs. Omaha, 5-1. Ryan Vogel (1-for-4, 2 RBIs) walked to score Mason Breidenbach with the 1st run. Logan Delgado then cleared the bases with a 3-run double to make it 4-0. Vogel singled in a run in the 6th to finish the scoring for Bradley. Delgado went 4-for-5. Vogel stole 2 bases. Travis Lutz pitched 6 innings, allowing 1 run on 7 hits with 8 strikeouts and 0 walks.

Bradley suffered 5-0 and 9-3 losses to Lindenwood. Vogel had an RBI single in the 9-3 loss, while O’Brien tripled in 2 runs. O’Brien leads the Braves with a .270 average, 10 hits, and 6 RBIs. The Braves are still looking for some offense, though. Bradley is hitting .205 as a team with just 1 homer through 10 games.

What’s Next: Bradley has a quiet midweek before hitting the road to play 3 games at Stetson in DeLand, Fla., this weekend. The Hatters are 8-4, having split 4 with West Virginia to start the season, beaten #4 Florida, 7-4, on Feb. 27, and taking 3 of 4 from Brown over the weekend. Stetson is at Georgia on Wednesday prior to the Bradley series.

Salukis Drop 2 of 3 at Home vs. App State

SIU (6-5) captured the opener against visiting Appalachian State, 7-5, before dropping 9-1 and 8-1 verdicts to wrap up the weekend. In Friday’s win, the Salukis trailed, 5-0, entering the bottom of the 5th inning. Hesston Gray started the SIU comeback in the 5th with a 3-run homer to make it 5-3. In the 7th, Gray finished the rally from 5 down, hitting a 2-run homer to tie the game. SIU then scored the eventual winning runs in the 8th when Steven Loden doubled home Jordan Bach, and Loden scored on a Mathieu Vallee single. Easton Dermody pitched the final 4 innings to get the win, allowing 0 runs on 2 hits with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts.

Gray, a junior from Manfield, Mo., who came to SIU from Jefferson College, is hitting .318 in his debut season in Carbondale. The 2 homers were his first of the season and he has 10 RBIs now. The 2-homer day helped propel his OPS to .991 for the season.

While the Salukis were only able to manage 2 runs over the next 2 days in the 2 losses, SIU has still scored 104 runs in 11 games with 12 homers – 5 off the bat of Steven Loden, who leads the Salukis with 16 RBIs. Bach continues to lead SIU in hitting at .391.

Up Next: The Salukis take on SIU-Edwardsville in a Tuesday road game before a 3-game, Thursday-Saturday series at home against Houston Christian. SIUE is 2-10, but just stopped an 8-game losing streak with a 6-5, 10-inning win over South Dakota State on Sunday. Houston Christian is 7-6 and is coming off 3 wins out of 4 against Eastern Michigan.

Extra Innings Unkind to Belmont

Belmont (7-5) welcomed Little Rock to Nashville over the weekend and suffered a pair of extra-inning losses to open the series before capturing the Sunday finale, 6-2. On Friday, the Bruins were downed, 2-1, in 10 innings. Saturday brought a 5-3 defeat in 14 innings.

In Sunday’s win, Brodey Heaton singled, doubled, and drove in 2 runs. Mason Landers also had 2 hits in the victory as Belmont outhit Little Rock, 9-4. Joe Ruzicka, who had been a midweek starter but moved up to the Sunday role, showed he was capable of the responsibility, throwing 8 innings and allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits with 1 walk and 5 strikeouts over 104 pitches (4.33 ppo). Jordan Zuger struck out 2 in the 9th to earn his first save of the season. Ruzicka is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 3 starts, having only allowed 8 hits in 16 innings, striking out 10.

In the Friday loss, Belmont carried a 1-0 lead into the 9th but Little Rock’s Luke Pectol tied the game with a homer in the 9th. Then Ben Harmon homered in the 10th for the eventual winning run. Landers also had 2 hits in that game. Belmont starter Will Pryor fanned 11 in 7 innings of shutout ball, allowing just 3 hits through 84 pitches (4.00 ppo). Pryor (1-1, 4.11) has 22 punch outs now in 15.1 innings.

On Saturday, it was Belmont’s turn for 9th-inning dramatics, as Heaton’s solo homer tied the game at 3. It stayed that way until the 14th, when a pair of RBI singles gave Little Rock a 5-3 lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Little Rock pitchers struck out 14 Bruins in the win.

What’s Next: It’s a 5-game week for Belmont, as the Bruins host Lipscomb (3-8) on Tuesday and welcome Kennesaw State (6-6) on Wednesday. This weekend, the UAB Blazers (5-6) come to E.S. Rose Park for a 3-game set. The Friday and Saturday games are slated to air on ESPN+.