NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont University baseball (8-14) hosts Illinois State (6-12) at E.S. Rose Park this weekend. The series marks the start of Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play. First pitch of Friday's series opener is set for 4 p.m. CT. Fans can tune in to Rich Tiner and
Carter Gledhill on Belmont Bruins Radio for all the action or follow along with live stats.
Series Schedule
Friday, March 21 – 4 p.m. CT.
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Live Stats
Saturday, March 22 – 2 p.m. CT.
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Live Stats
Sunday, March 23 – 1 p.m. CT.
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Live Stats
Probable Pitchers
Friday, March 21
Illinois State - Thomas Harper (Jr. | RHP): 1-0, 5 APP, 2 GS, 16.2 IP, 2.70 ERA, 13 K, 4 BB, 1 SV
Belmont –
Zach Hernandez (Fr. | RHP): 0-0, 5 APP, 2 GS, 8.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 13 K, 8 BB
Saturday, March 22
Illinois State – Tanner Perry (Sr. | RHP): 1-2, 6.49 ERA, 26.1 IP, 29 K, 12 BB
Belmont –
Joe Ruzicka (Jr. | RHP): 1-1, 5 GS, 23.2 IP, 4.18 ERA, 19 K, 15 BB
Sunday, March 23
Illinois State – Tyrelle Chadwick (Jr. | RHP): 1-1, 4 APP, 2 GS, 3.12 ERA, 17.1 IP, 10 K, 8 BB
Belmont –
Jake Timbes (R-So. | RHP): 1-1, 5 GS, 3.12 ERA, 19 K, 7 BB
Bruin Bullets
- Belmont enters the weekend with an 8-14 record. The Bruins dropped a midweek contest 13-2 in seven innings to No. 22 Vanderbilt Tuesday night at Hawkins Field. Landon Godsey hit his third home run of the season in the ninth inning.
- The Bruins have won their previous two series against Little Rock and swept a four-game series last weekend against Butler. The Bruins scored 58 runs on 58 hits in their most dominant performance of the season.
- Charlie Davis was named the MVC Player of the Week for March 18. The junior recorded nine hits last week, with 11 RBIs, seven runs and four extra-base hits. Davis also stole three stolen bases. He posted a .500 batting average – nine hits – against Butler and finished with 10 RBIs in four games; tied for the most on the team. Davis and Pete Daniel lead the Bruins and MVC with three triples and are tied for seventh in the conference with seven doubles.
- Blake Barton leads all Bruins with 113 career hits. The senior outfielder is batting .296 on the season with five doubles and two home runs.
- Ethan Harden is tied for the conference lead with three saves.
- Zach Hernandez is set to make his third start of the season Friday. The junior right-handed pitcher has a perfect 0.00 ERA in five appearances. Hernandez has struck out 13 batters in 8.1 innings.
Scouting Report: Illinois State Redbirds
- Daniel Pacella leads the MVC with a .425 batting average and 31 hits. Pacella leads the team with nine doubles and ranks second with a .740 slugging percentage.
- Judah Morris leads the conference with seven home runs and is responsible for a team-high 22 RBIs.
- Tyrelle Chadwick was named the MVC Pitcher of the Week for March 18. Chadwick pitched seven shutout innings in game two of a Saturday doubleheader for the Redbirds against Western Illinois to secure their second run-rule victory and first shutout of the season.
- Illinois State had three players named to the 2025 MVC Preseason All-Conference team: first baseman Judah Morris, third baseman Kyle Gibson and outfielder Daniel Pacella.
Matchup History
- Belmont is 9-8 against Illinois State.
- Illinois State won last season's series, 2-1. Belmont won the series opener 11-5 but fell 4-3 (11 innings) and 8-1 in the final two games.
- The Redbirds eliminated Belmont from the 2024 MVC Baseball Championship. No. 4 Illinois State fended off No. 7 Belmont 6-4 on May 23, 2024.
MVC Preseason Poll
1. Missouri State – 90 (5)
2. Southern Illinois – 86 (4)
3. Murray State – 84 (1)
4. Illinois State – 72
5. Evansville – 49
Indiana State – 49
7. UIC – 46
8. Belmont – 39
Bradley – 39
10. Valparaiso - 19
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