Note: This story has been updated as of 2:15 a.m. Thursday, May 25 to include the outcome of a game that ended after the News-Leader went to press.
Midnight was supposed to spell the end for the underdog.
It did just the opposite for Illinois State in a 1-0 win over Missouri State in the opening round of the Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Championship. Illinois State pitchers held the Bears scoreless on three hits and a late night became an early morning at Hammons Field.
Senior first baseman Justin Paulsen had one hit, and didn’t feel Missouri State (37-16, 18-2 in the Missouri Valley) should have been shutout against the Redbirds.