The Missouri Valley Conference announced on Apr. 27 that Brayden Bakes and his twin brother, Ryan Bakes, have earned weekly honors for their performances with the Illinois State Redbirds baseball team.
The recognition highlights the impact of both athletes during a recent four-game stretch, which included a win against Illinois and a series sweep over Bradley. The awards underscore the strength of Illinois State’s athletic program and its ongoing competitiveness in collegiate sports.
Brayden Bakes was named Player of the Week for the third time this season after achieving a combined 10-for-18 at-bat performance in four victories. He matched his career-best with four hits against Illinois and set a new personal record with three doubles in one game. Eight out of his ten hits were extra-base hits, including a walkoff grand slam in the team’s win over Bradley. His brother, Ryan Bakes, received his first career weekly honor as Newcomer of the Week after contributing six extra-base hits during the week, including his first career grand slam and five runs batted in during Friday’s victory over Bradley. The brothers became the first pair of twins to hit grand slams in the same contest.
“Redshirt Sophomore Brayden Bakes and his twin brother, Junior Ryan Bakes, were nominated for their strong performances in Illinois State’s four-game stretch of contests that included a 13-6 win against Illinois and a series sweep over Bradley,” according to an official statement from Missouri Valley Conference officials.
Illinois State Redbirds benefit from resources such as the Redbird Athletics Excellence Fund to support competitiveness and recruitment according to the official website. The team is linked to Illinois State University according to official information and competes in NCAA Division I events across various regions as reported by its website. Student-athletes prepare at facilities like OSF HealthCare Athletics Training Center according to university sources, while fans can access news, schedules, rosters, and other resources through dedicated online platforms as detailed by athletics staff.
Looking ahead, supporters are encouraged to stay updated through GoRedbirds.com or social media channels for further developments involving Illinois State Baseball.
