Illinois State got a solid starting pitching performance out of Josh Kauten, but struggled offensively, as they fell to the University of Illinois-Chicago 2-0 Saturday afternoon at Les Miller Field in Chicago, Illinois.
Kauten (0-5) went 7.1 innings, allowing eight hits and one earned run, while striking out four.
Picking up the win for UIC was David Haehnel (4-2). The left-hander pitched nine innings of shutout, five-hit ball, while recording five strikeouts.
The Flames (24-12) got on the board first, as they got two runs in the bottom of the first off Kauten. Jordan Devior had a two-RBI single for the Flames to bring home the first and only two runs.
Haehnel would hold the Illinois State (12-22) bats at bay throughout the rest of the game. ISU was able to mount a threat in the top of the sixth inning, but Jay Molina grounded out to third with the bases loaded to end the inning.
The two teams will play the final game of their three-game series on Sunday at Les Miller Field, with the first pitch set for 1:05 p.m. Kyle Zaleski will make the start for Illinois State.
