Junior Mike Saunches went 3-for-3, including his fourth home run of season, to lead the Illinois State offensive attack, but Southwest Missouri State registered a 10-2 victory and claimed the series, Sunday, at Price Cutter Park.
The Redbirds fell to 5-15 on the season and 2-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference, while the Bears improved to 15-4 and 3-1, respectively.
The Redbirds scored early posting a run in their first at bat, but it would be the only time the Birds would be in front. Senior Brad Bouris drew a walk on a 3-2 count and advanced to third on a base hit by Saunches. Bouris plated the Birds first run on an infield single by senior Ryan Cantrell.
The Redbird lead was short-lived as the Bears posted three runs in the bottom of the first. SMS used three base hits and an error by ISU shortstop Jeremy Accardo to record the three-run inning. The Bears added two more runs in the bottom of the second to increase their lead to 5-1.
Saunches open up the top of the fourth with a solo blast to left center that closed the ISU deficit to 5-2. In the SMS half of the fourth, the Bears tallied five runs on a pair of doubles, three walks and a hit batsman.
Dave MacDonald took the second loss of the season, against one win, for ISU. He completed three innings, while allowing seven hits and six runs, five earned. David Bader earned the win for the Bears, improving his record to 3-1.
Illinois State returns to the road on Tuesday, when the Redbirds travel to Eastern Illinois for an interstate rivalry game. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. ISU will finally play its first home game after 21 games away from Redbird Field on Friday, April 5, when the Birds host Southern Illinois in the first of four Valley games.
