NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball team opens the 2019 season Friday in Nashville, Tennessee, against Belmont in the first of a three-game series with the Bruins at E.S. Rose Park. First pitch for Friday's game is set for 4 p.m., with a Saturday matchup scheduled for 1 p.m. The series finale on Sunday is set for 1 p.m.
Backing The Birds
The Redbirds, under the leadership of first-year head coach Steve Holm, were picked to finish sixth in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll. Illinois State welcomes back seven position starters and also return a very experienced pitching staff, as the team returns starters from 49 of their 52 games a season ago.