BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- The Illinois Wesleyan University baseball team defeated crosstown rival Illinois State University, 10-4, in the 11th Horenberger-Bass Classic, played at Jack Horenberger Field on Tuesday, April 24.

The Titans are now 19-12 while the Redbirds fell to 14-23. This is Illinois Wesleyan third victory in the 11-game series with Illinois State holding an 8-3 advantage.

ISU holds an advantage in the all-time series that dates back to 1890 with a record of 87-71. Named after legendary coaches Jack Horenberger and Duffy Bass, the series, which began in 2004, alternates between Duffy Bass Field and Horenberger Field each year. The 2016, 2012, 2011, and 2009 games were canceled due to rain.

Illinois Wesleyan received a season-best pitching performance by sophomore Jim O'Brien (2-1) on Tuesday as the winning pitcher allowed just one earned run over five innings pitched and struck out seven Redbird batters. Junior Michael Billington closed the game out for the Titans allowing one hit in two innings of work. The 12 strikeouts recorded by Illinois Wesleyan pitchers matched their previous season-best set on March 31 against Elmhurst.

Illinois State's Jack Anderson (0-1) was charged with the loss after allowing the Titans to score six runs in the fourth, his lone inning on the mound.

IWU's six-run fourth inning outburst was highlighted by a towering three-run home run by sophomore center fielder Nick Figus. Senior Joey Holtz opened the scoring for Illinois Wesleyan with a two-run double to right center-field.

Illinois Wesleyan added four more runs in the fifth inning with two coming by way of a single from senior Mike Plecki. The Titans scoring outburst concluded with an RBI single from senior catcher Seth Palmby, which gave IWU a 10-1 lead over Illinois State. Sophomore Garrett Shea, Figus, Palmby, and Holtz each finished with two hits for Illinois Wesleyan.

The Redbirds were led on offense by Owen Miller who recorded a game-high three hits in four at-bats alongside an RBI.

HORENBERGER AND BASS
Former Illinois Wesleyan baseball coach Jack Horenberger posted a 37-year record of 509-401 (.559) with five ties at the helm of the Titan baseball program from 1942-81...He was also the athletic director at Illinois Wesleyan for many years...From 1964-88, Duffy Bass compiled a 713-457-18 record and by his third season with the Redbirds, the team made its first of five-straight trips to College Division (now Division II) postseason play. In 1969, his team finished 33-5 and won the national title, the only national crown won by an ISU team to date.

What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan is back in action on Wednesday, April 25 with a 1 p.m. home doubleheader against North Park University. North Park currently sits in third place in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) with an 8-6 conference record. The Vikings hold a 13-16 record overall and are led on offense by Cullen Gilbertson's 27 RBI.