Under the clear Florida sky at Centennial Park, the Illinois State Redbirds flexed their muscles in a dominant 12-1 win over the UMass Lowell River Hawks at the Snowbird Classic on February 20, 2026. With this emphatic victory, Illinois State improved to a 4-1 record, marking their best five-game start under eighth-year head coach Steve Holm. The Redbirds' performance not only showcased their offensive prowess but also highlighted a pitching staff that kept their opponents in check, setting the tone for what could be a promising season ahead.
Redshirt sophomore Brayden Bakes was the undisputed star of the day, delivering a flawless 3-for-3 performance at the plate. Bakes reached base in all five of his plate appearances, including his first home run of the season—a two-run blast in the third inning that gave Illinois State a comfortable early cushion. "It felt great to get into a groove and help the team out," Bakes said after the game, reflecting on his seventh career three-hit outing. His consistency at the plate proved crucial as the Redbirds built their lead inning by inning.
The Redbirds wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Junior Luke Stulga scored the opening run on a wild pitch in the first frame, setting the tone for an aggressive offensive approach. Stulga, who notched his second two-hit game of the season and thirteenth of his career, continued to be a sparkplug for Illinois State. In the fourth inning, he drove home senior Josh Outlaw with a sharp RBI single, pushing the lead to 4-0.
On the mound, senior Thomas Harper got the nod and delivered another solid outing. Harper, who has now allowed just two runs in his first two starts of the 2026 campaign, finished his day with four strikeouts and limited the River Hawks to three hits. His ability to navigate out of trouble was on full display—twice inducing inning-ending double plays with the bases loaded, keeping UMass Lowell at bay and preserving the Redbirds' advantage.
UMass Lowell found a glimmer of hope in the bottom of the fourth. Freshman Cal Chance, making his mark early in his collegiate career, recorded an RBI single to drive in graduate student Jorge Burgos, trimming the deficit to 4-1. Senior Joseph DeLanzo and senior Carlos Martinez each contributed a double for the River Hawks, but the offense struggled to capitalize, going 0-9 with runners in scoring position—a stat that would haunt them as the game progressed.
River Hawks head coach Nick Barese didn’t mince words after the defeat. "The game got away from us in the sixth," Barese remarked, pointing to defensive lapses and missed opportunities at the plate. "I thought Mucciarone pitched well enough to give us a shot. We weren't sharp enough defensively, and when we're 0-9 with RISP, it's hard to stay in it." His assessment echoed the frustrations of a team that saw the contest slip away in a matter of innings.
Indeed, the sixth inning proved decisive. Illinois State loaded the bases after drawing three consecutive walks, then took advantage of a River Hawks fielding error that allowed all three runners to score, stretching the lead to 7-1. The Redbirds' offensive onslaught continued with singles from junior Graham Mastros and sophomore Eric Machej, pushing the score to 9-1. Machej later dashed home on a wild pitch, making it 10-1 and effectively putting the game out of reach.
Junior Michael Addari was a revelation out of the bullpen for Illinois State. Entering in relief in the fourth inning, Addari tossed four shutout frames, racking up a career-best five strikeouts and earning his first win of the season. His command and poise silenced any hopes of a River Hawks comeback, as he scattered just a handful of baserunners and kept the scoreboard quiet for UMass Lowell.
The Redbirds continued to pile on in the eighth. Mastros, already having a strong start to the season, launched his fourth home run of the year—matching his career best just five games in. Junior Michael Carrano provided a memorable moment, notching his first hit as a Redbird with a double, which also marked his first career hit at the Division I level. Sophomore Louis Bussard capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly, bringing the tally to a season-matching 12 runs for Illinois State.
For UMass Lowell, junior Alfred Mucciarone started on the mound and battled through five innings, collecting three strikeouts and doing his best to keep the River Hawks within striking distance. Freshman Christopher Klueber followed with two innings of relief, also notching three strikeouts and showing promise for the future. Despite the pitching efforts, defensive miscues and missed chances with runners on base proved too much to overcome.
There were a few bright spots for the River Hawks, including the doubles by DeLanzo and Martinez, and the RBI single from Chance. Graduate student Jorge Burgos managed to cross the plate for their lone run, but the offense never quite found its rhythm. The River Hawks now sit at 1-3 on the season, with their focus quickly shifting to their next matchup against Miami (Ohio) on February 21 at Centennial Park.
The significance of this game for Illinois State extended beyond the box score. Not only did they claim their first win in the inaugural meeting between these two programs, but they also matched their season-high run total set against SEMO just a week earlier. The 4-1 start is the best under coach Steve Holm, a testament to the team’s preparation and depth. With contributions up and down the lineup—Stulga’s multi-hit day, Mastros’ continued power surge, and Addari’s breakout relief appearance—the Redbirds look poised for a strong campaign.
Junior Hunter Stencil also made his Redbird debut, entering defensively in the seventh inning, while the team’s social media presence continues to engage fans through X, Instagram, and Facebook. For those following the Redbirds’ journey, there’s plenty to be optimistic about as the season unfolds.
As the dust settled in Port Charlotte, Illinois State’s emphatic 12-1 victory sent a message to the rest of the field at the Snowbird Classic. With a balanced attack, resilient pitching, and a knack for seizing big moments, the Redbirds are off to a flying start in 2026. UMass Lowell, meanwhile, will look to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming contests, hoping to turn lessons learned into future wins.