Friday, March 23, 2012
Sports News

Redbirds host MacMurray and Webster

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[March 23, 2012]  NORMAL -- After playing 19 consecutive road games to start the 2012 season, the Illinois State baseball team opens the home schedule this weekend with a 3 p.m. Friday game against MacMurray, followed by a game versus Webster on Sunday at 1 p.m.

HardwareMacMurray (6-2) and Webster (7-7) are both NCAA Division III schools from the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Redbird homestand will continue Tuesday with a midweek game against in-state rival Illinois.

"We are excited to finally be able to play at home," said Illinois State head coach Mark Kingston. "Our goal is to continue improving as we get closer to conference play."

ISU will try to bounce back, after losing Wednesday's nonconference matchup at SIU Edwardsville 6-4. Redbird shortstop Brett Kay led Illinois State with a three-run home run, which was the third of his career and second of the season.

Outfielder Ty Wiesemeyer still leads ISU's offense with a .391 batting average and a team-best .494 on-base percentage. Catcher and designated hitter Mike Hollenbeck is close behind with a .358 average, and he is riding a team-best seven-game hitting streak. Hollenbeck and Wiesemeyer have also reached base in 14 consecutive games.

Illinois State will start junior right-hander Chris Razo (2-1) Friday and freshman left-hander Dylan Craig (3-0) Sunday. Razo and Craig are each slated to make their fifth starts of the season. Razo has a 7.36 ERA this season with a team-high 26 strikeouts, while Craig has a 5.01 ERA. MacMurray is scheduled to counter with freshman left-hander Brock Robinson, while Webster's starter has not been announced. Last season, the Gorloks won the SLIAC.

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The beginning of the 2012 season marks the start of free admission to every game played at Duffy Bass Field. Plus, Friday will be "Buck Day," with $1 hot dogs and $1 drinks. On Sunday, fans can bring in gently used sporting goods to donate to local schools, and kids can run the bases after the game.

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Redbird game notes

[Text from file received from Illinois State]

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