Errors and missed opportunities to score caught up with the Illinois State baseball team as it fell 6-5 to Middle Tennessee at the Governors Classic in Clarksville, Tennessee. The Redbirds committed two errors and left eight men on base in the loss.
With the loss the Redbirds fall to 0-4 on the season, while the Blue Raiders improve to 5-2 on the season.
In the top of the first inning, Todd Stein loaded the bases with one out before giving up a two-run double to Middle Tennessees Brett Carroll. The next batter, Derek Phillips, hit a sacrifice fly to leftfield to put the Blue Raiders up 3-0. Sparked by a two-run homerun by Mike Saunches, the Redbirds came back to pull within one in the bottom half of the inning. Yet, with the bases loaded Greg Blaesing flied out to center to end the inning.
In the top of the second, Stein gave up a leadoff double to Middle Tennessees Doug Kunicki, who would later score on a throwing error by second basemen Scott Legan, to put the Blue Raiders up 4-2.
In the bottom of the third, Jon Peacocks one-out single got things rolling for the Redbirds. With men on first and second, a throwing error by Middle Tennessees third baseman, Carroll, allowed Peacock to score pulling the Redbirds within one. Later, Greg Blaesings bases loaded fielders choice scored Lance McMillan to tie the game at 4-4. However, the Redbirds left two men on base.
In the top of the fourth, the Blue Raiders would come right back when Stein gave up a leadoff single to Kunicki who later scored on a passed ball to put the Blue Raiders up 5-4.
In the top of the fifth, Jake Stewart replaced Stein who pitched 4 innings giving up five hits and five runs. With one-out and men on first and second, Stewart struck out two consecutive batters to retire the Blue Raiders. Peacock led off the bottom half of the inning with a double to right field, but with two men on the Redbirds could not capitalize.
In the top of the sixth, Stewart gave up a leadoff single to Jason Howarth followed by another single to Chuck Akers. With one out and men on first and second, Stewart walked Justin Sims to load the bases. Yet, Stewart got out of the jam when Josh Archer grounded into a double play to end the inning. In the bottom half of the inning, Scott Legan got the Redbirds rolling with a leadoff single to left field. Later in the inning, Legan would score on a ground ball double play by Jake Perganson to tie the game at 5-5.
With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Jim Chiappetta singled off of Middle Tennessees Chris Mobley. Following, a throwing error by Mobley allowed Chiappetta to advance to third. However, Cantrell flied out to center to end the inning.
In the top of the ninth, MacDonald struck out the first batter he faced before giving up the eventual game winning homerun to Carroll. In the bottom half of the inning, the Mobley retired the Redbirds in order to earn the win.
Due to the possibility of bad weather, the Redbirds will attempt to face Eastern Michigan tonight, at 6:45 p.m. in Clarksville, Tennessee.
