Jeremy Pickrel recorded his third home run of the season, a two-run blast to left field in the fifth inning, but the Illinois State baseball team could not hold on to its lead and fell 4-3 to Missouri in non-conference action Wednesday at Redbird Field.
The Redbirds fall to 7-9 overall with the loss, while Missouri improves to 17-8. The Tigers had 11 hits in the ballgame to Illinois States six, but Mizzou committed three errors in the contest including one that put the potential game-tying run at second base with no outs in the bottom of the ninth.
Pickrel finished the game going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, while Greg Blaesing also went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Brady Salter (0-2) picked up the loss in relief for Redbird starter Josh Kauten. Cody Ehlers (1-0) came in to relieve Mizzou starter Danny Hill to earn the win, while Travis Wendte came in for the ninth inning to snag his fifth save of the season.
This was a disappointing loss because it seemed like our guys didnt expect to win, said Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee. After doing a great job of competing this weekend (against Creighton), our team didnt compete today. We had been competing and I think it is our upperclassmen that are not producing.
Illinois State had a 3-0 lead going into the top of the sixth inning following Pickrels homer, but Ehlers hit a three-run shot to left-center that knotted the game at 3-3. Missouri tacked on the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning off a solo homer to left field by Brad Flanders. The Redbirds had runners at first and second with no outs in the bottom of the ninth, but an unsuccessful sac bunt by Lance McMillan got Molina out at third, followed by a fly out to centerfield by pinch-hitter Scott Bialobreski and a strikeout by Blaesing sealed the victory for the Tigers.
Brownlee is still optimistic about his team heading into their Valley weekend series at Wichita State.
The more we play, the better we get, said Brownlee. We have a tough road series in the Valley this weekend and we are looking forward to the challenge. We just cant give them any easy opportunities.
The Redbirds head to Wichita, Kan., for the four-game series with the Shockers of Wichita State this weekend. The first game is set for Friday, March 28, at 7 p.m. and will be available live on WJBC 1230 AM. All remaining games in the series will be available via WJBCs webcast. Webcast can be accessed through either www.redbirds.org or www.wjbc.com.
