Life in the Valley

Illinois State Scores 2 Touchdowns to Down Northern Illinois

Judah Morris doubled, homered, scored twice, and drove in 2 runs in Illinois State’s 14-6 win over visiting Northern Illinois Wednesday in Normal. The game was the lone affair involving a Missouri Valley Conference team Wednesday.

Brayden Bakes went 4-for-5 with a double, 2 runs, and 2 RBIs, while Graham Mastros doubled twice, scored twice, and drove in 3 runs. Illinois State got off to a fast start, scoring 5 times in the bottom of the 1st inning and another in the 2nd to take a 6-0 lead. Morris’ RBI double opened the scoring. After a run-scoring error, Mastros doubled in 2 before Daniel Contreras’ RBI single gave the Redbirds (19-19) their 5-run lead.

After Northern Illinois (15-25) closed to within 6-4 in the 6th, the Redbirds put the game away in the 7th, scoring 4 runs to take control, 11-4. Morris started the scoring in that inning as well with a solo homer. It was Morris’ 13th of the season, tying him with Daniel Pacella for the team lead.

The other 3 runs in the 7th all came on bases-loaded walks, as Luke Stulga, Kyle Gibson, and Pacella all drew RBI free passes. Mastros, Stulga, and Gibson all drove in runs in the 8th, as Illinois State built a 14-5 lead.

Carter Monke started for Illinois State and went 4 scoreless innings, allowing just 2 hits with 1 walk and 5 strikeouts on 60 pitches. Four relievers took care of the rest, including Tresdon Rybarczyk, who pitched 2 1/3 scoreless frames and earned credit for the win. Rybarczyk improved to 2-1 on the season. Redbird pitchers struck out 14 NIU batters and walked just 4.

Monke hasn’t allowed a run in 3 of his last 4 starts, spanning a total of 9 2/3 innings. His 5 strikeouts Wednesday were a season high. It also marked Monke’s 8th consecutive appearance without allowing a home run. Monke has only allowed 1 long ball all season to 198 total batters – that in a March 14 appearance against Western Illinois.

Illinois State (9-6 MVC) now turns its attention to a weekend date on the road in Carbondale against Southern Illinois (28-12, 10-5). The Friday-Sunday series will commence at 6 p.m. for Game 1, with Game 2 Saturday at 2; and the finale at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Ed Morgans is the founder of MVCBaseball.com. An Evansville graduate, Ed has written about and broadcast college baseball, while following the sport for 40 years.