A seventh inning homerun and runs in the seventh and eighth innings were not enough for the Illinois State Redbirds, as they fell to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 6-4 at Nick Denes Field in Bowling Green, Ky.
Taking the loss for Illinois State (2-5) was sophomore Kitt Kopach (1-2). Kopach pitched five innings, giving up 6 runs, four of which were earned runs, on five hits. Senior Matt Fowles and sophomore Luke Baughman came on to pitch three scoreless innings at the end of the game for the Redbirds. Picking up the win for the Hilltoppers (3-7) was senior Dan Faulkner, throwing 8 innings and giving up two earned runs. Freshman Stephen Muck came on to get the save for Western Kentucky.
The Hilltoppers started the scoring in the bottom of the second inning when Jordan Newton led the inning off with walk. After Newton advanced to second on a groundout by Ben Cooper, B.J. Halloway reached base on a fielders choice and advanced to second on an errant throw by shortstop Ryan Anetsberger. Newton scored on the play and Western Kentucky added another run in the inning when Halloway scored on a two-out double by Casey Hamilton.
Kopach shook off the two unearned runs and pitched a quick 1-2-3 to shut down the Hilltoppers in the third. However, the fourth inning did not prove as easy. Western Kentucky scored four runs on three hits in the fourth, extending the lead to 6-0.
The Redbirds got their first run of the day off of Kyle OBriens second homerun of the season in the top of the seventh. The two out homerun seemed to fire up the Birds, scoring another run in the eighth. After loading the bases, Blake Schoonover scored on an infield single by Brian Davis. The Redbirds had the bases loaded with no outs, but could not keep the rally going, leaving the bases loaded to end the eighth.
In the ninth, the Redbirds continued to chip away at the Hilltoppers and were looking for their first come from behind win of the year. After Schoonover and Kris Jenkins scored, the Redbirds had cut the lead to 6-4. The Redbirds had runners at second and third with two outs, but could not capitalize as Matt Bolt struck out swinging to end the game.
The Redbirds play the second of a three game set against the Hilltoppers Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. Sophomore Dan Frega (0-2) will make the start for the Redbirds.
