Seniors Ryan Cantrell and Jake Perganson combined for seven hits, six RBI and two runs on the day as the Illinois State baseball team took a doubleheader from the Panthers of Northern Iowa, 4-3 and 9-4, at Redbird Field.
Illinois State (17-18, 7-7) has won 10 of its last 11 games and has an 8-2 record when playing at Redbird Field this year. The Birds are riding the heels of a six-game win streak, the longest of the season. Northern Iowas struggles continue as they fall to 17-17, 5-14 in the Valley.
Our turnaround this season has really come at the right time, head coach Jeff Stewart said. We started off a little slow but with all our experiences from early in the season, we were able to improve and build on that.
These two games today, we pitched well and got things done on defense, Stewart continued. For the most part, our games were solid and if we play that way every time we take the field, we can win some more ball games.
Scott Legan smoked his second triple of the year to right center in the third inning of game two as Greg Blaesing scored, giving ISU the lead. Ryan Cantrell hit a sac fly next at bat to bring home Legan as Illinois State took a 2-0 lead.
The Birds scored their third run in the bottom of the fourth after consecutive singles by Blaesing and Legan drove home Jake Blair, who reached on a fielders choice.
Leading 3-0, Northern Iowa got on the board in the top of the fifth after a double-walk-double scored two runs. But Illinois State had some more to dish out as the Redbirds scored three runs of their own in the same inning.
Brad Bouris hit a line drive past the second baseman before two Bird walks. With bases loaded, Perganson hit a two-RBI single past the shortstop as ISU went up 4-2. Another run was added before the end of the inning on a bases-loaded walk.
Up 6-2 in the seventh, Illinois State scored another run after Jeremy Accardo doubled and scored on another Blaesing blast to right field. Cantrell stepped to the plate next and rocked his sixth homer of the year over the scoreboard before ISU took game two, 9-4. Kyle Bloom got his fourth win of the year, pitching 7.2 innings and allowing eight hits, four runs and striking out five.
In game one, Northern Iowa scored a run in the top of the second inning, after two singles drove home Gary Lane, who reached on a walk.
Illinois State tied the score in the bottom of the fourth when Accardo doubled to right field, sending home Mike Saunches who walked to start the inning. Two batters later, Kevin ODell ripped his second single to right field, plating two more Redbirds as Illinois State took the lead 3-1.
With ODell on first, Cantrell stepped to the plate and hit his fourteenth double of the year, scoring another run as ODell crossed the plate.
Leading 4-1, Northern Iowa scored another single run in the fifth after a sac fly by Travis Welsch plated Marty Sutherland, pulling the Panthers to within two.
Another unearned run in the top of the seventh made things interesting as Illinois States lead was cut to one with runners at the corners. But with Accardo on the mound, who ranks tied 16th nationally in saves on the year, a strikeout and fly out secured the Redbird victory as he notched his eighth save, moving into second place in the Redbird record book for saves in a season and career. The record stands at nine.
Howie Frank got the win, improving his record to 2-3 after 4.1 innings pitched allowing five hits. Scott Miller was handed the loss and he falls to 1-2.
Illinois State and Northern Iowa wrap-up its four-game series with a single game Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. at Redbird Field.
