Illinois State was able to get four runs early, which proved to be the difference as a constant rain caused the Redbirds game with South Dakota State to end in the bottom of the fifth inning, giving ISU a 5-1 win Thursday afternoon at Redbird Field.
The moves Illinois State to the .500 mark (9-9) on the year. It was also the third consecutive win for ISU, the first such streak since a four-game winning streak May 9-11, 2003.
Picking up the win for the Redbirds was senior Ned Schauff (2-1). Schauff came on in relief of starter Kitt Kopach in the fifth inning and only recorded three outs for the win. The lefty did not give up a hit and struck out two in the fifth.
Kopach went four innings, allowing only two hits and one earned run.
Taking the loss for South Dakota State (3-15) was Tyson Bothof. The right-hander pitched four innings, allowing five runs with five walks and five strikeouts.
Illinois State got on the board first in the game, as the Birds would throw up a four-spot in the first inning. ISU got five hits in the inning, including singles from Brian Davis, Matt Bolt, and Lee Fischer, a double from Kyle OBrien and a triple from Jay Molina. Bolt, Molina and Fischer each had RBI, as did Joe Burke, who grounded out to first to bring in a run.
The Redbirds would add another run in the bottom of the third, as Chris Frank singled in Fischer to give ISU a 5-0 lead after three. Frank, who would finish the day 3-3, also made a stellar diving catch in centerfield to end the top of the second.
Kopach would carry a no-hitter into the fifth inning before the Jackrabbits would get to the right-hander. After walking the leadoff batter, Kopach gave up a single to Kyle Sytsma and Chris Iverson would follow that up with an RBI double to make it a 5-1 game. Schauff would then come on in relief to record the innings three outs, two of which came via the strikeout.
Illinois State would get the first three batters of the fifth inning on base before the umpires elected to call the game, giving ISU a 5-1 win.
The Redbirds will open up the Missouri Valley portion of their schedule on Friday, when they open up a three game series with the Creighton Bluejays at Redbird Field. Matt Fowles (3-0) will make the start for ISU and first pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.
