NORMAL, Ill- The Illinois State baseball team has concluded a productive fall season as they look to improve on their 23-34 record in the 2021 spring season. Coach Steve Holm has high expectations coming into his fourth season with the Birds’.
Coach Holm made the improvements on the infield defense as that was one of their weaknesses in the past seasons.
“The infield defense, in particular, was significantly better than it had been. And that was kind of one of the keys for us heading into the fall.” Said coach Holm.
The six weeks of fall baseball gave the redshirt outfielder, Johnathan Sabotnik his time to shine.
“He ended up redshirting and he used his time extremely wisely. He got bigger and stronger and faster. And it’s kind of coming to fruition for him now.”
Coach Holm also highlighted players like Jake McCaw, who won the batting title in the MVC last season. As well as Ryan Cermak, the offensive powerhouse with a team-leading 11 home runs last year.
The Redbird team is now made up of almost all coach Holm’s recruits as he begins his fourth year at Illinois State.
“When you come in you’re using the current players on the roster. And then at a certain point, you start to slowly turn that thing over into the guys that you’ve recruited.”
The pieces are coming together for the Redbird baseball team. The defensive improvements combined with the offensive power will make the Birds’ dangerous in the 2022 spring season.