MVC BASEBALL TOURNEY: Normal, IL

 

    Over the weekend, MVC Baseball teams up and down the standings completed their regular seasons. With the exception of Evansville and Valparaiso, who did not qualify, the Valley seedings were established for the upcoming tournament in Normal, IL. The Redbirds finished the regular season winning 2 out of 3 games in Terre Haute, IN, against ISU Blue. The Redbirds earned the number 5 seed for the 2025 MVC Baseball Championship (presented by Credit Union 1). With Indiana State University being the eighth seed, they are scheduled to play the same opponent they ended the regular season against: fifth seed Illinois State University. The tournament hosts will throw the game's first pitch, signaling the start of the 5 day long championship hunt. The tournament's first round (5 vs. 8 and 6 vs. 7) is a single elimination high-stakes round that ends two teams' championship chances. Illinois State or Indiana State and Belmont or Bradley are ending their seasons on Tuesday with a loss, and the winning sides will advance to the double-elimination segment of the tournament beginning on Wednesday. You can throw out the regular season because it does not matter at this point. Every team in the field has an avenue to reach the NCAA Tournament, and nobody will take it easy or give up without a fight. Every team has to be locked in from pitch one to the last out.

    In baseball, it takes multiple moving parts to succeed at a championship level:  Hitting, Pitching, Defense, Coaching, and Crowd Involvement! Every person involved with Redbird Baseball is being called to do their part for the greater good. Playing or not, it’s all hands on deck this week, and that starts tomorrow at 1:30 pm at our very own Duffy Bass Field in a single elimination battle with the Sycamores! Energy for every pitch, every play, every game from everybody! This tournament is a playoff scenario that can automatically punch our ballclub a first class ticket to the NCAA Tournament, not to mention put a ring on the finger of every Redbird for winning the damn thing! This town loves the Redbirds, we all know it; let’s see it this week at the diamond! If we want the Birds to soar to major heights, we must cheer at a major level and make a difference! If we do our part as fans by showing up for the Birds, I guarantee we will have an overwhelming home advantage that will disrupt the flow of any team we face. So, when you show up, make a lot of noise, be involved, and support the team! It’s OK to yell! It’s OK to clap! It’s OK to be passionate! Let’s not be afraid to be bold and have fun at the same time. It’s baseball! What is the point if you aren’t having fun in the stands? The players are under enough pressure; let’s help them out by knowing we have their backs and are willing to participate in their pursuit of success. The less stress, the more focus, and the more focus, the better the results. Let’s have fun as fans and bring our best energy to the ballpark!  If you can’t show up in person, watch on ESPN+ and interact with fellow fans on social media! Spread the Red and do whatever you can to help the Redbirds Baseball team in their tournament run this week! Roll Damn Birds