NORMAL, Ill. (Interstat) — Illinois State and Eastern Illinois meet Tuesday evening at Duffy Bass Field, with the Redbirds seeking to extend a recent surge against a Panthers club trying to shake off a lopsided weekend loss.

Illinois State (29-20) enters the nonconference matchup on the heels of a 7-6, 10-inning victory at Illinois-Chicago on Sunday, a win that capped a series split for the Redbirds. Illinois State took two of three from Valparaiso the previous weekend and have won six of their last 10 contests.

Right-hander Luke Teschke has been a steady presence on the mound for Illinois State. The pitcher tossed six shutout innings against UIC on Sunday, scattering zero hits while striking out two and allowing two earned runs. In his previous outing May 3 against Valparaiso, Teschke worked five innings, allowing three hits and no earned runs with four strikeouts in a 9-4 win. Over his last four appearances, Teschke has posted a 2.89 ERA across 18 2/3 innings, with 14 strikeouts against seven walks.

Eastern Illinois (28-18) arrives after a 20-9 loss to SIU Edwardsville on Sunday, the final game of a three-game series in which the Panthers were outscored 39-15. The Panthers dropped all three games to the Cougars after sweeping Southeast Missouri State the previous weekend.

Left-hander Jarrett Kinder is expected to be a key arm out of the bullpen for Eastern Illinois. In Sunday’s loss to SIU Edwardsville, Kinder worked three innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out three. Three of his last four outings have been scoreless appearances, including three shutout innings against Bradley on April 29, when he fanned four.

The Panthers’ offense has relied on third baseman James Love and catcher Zak Goodwin of late. Love homered and drove in a run Sunday, while Goodwin collected two RBIs in the loss.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-6 Illinois State victory.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under clear skies with temperatures near 63 degrees.

Following Tuesday’s game, both teams open three-game road series Thursday. Illinois State travels to Michigan State, while Eastern Illinois visits Western Illinois.