TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Jeremy Rhoades struck out a career-high 11 batters in a career-best eight innings of work, but Illinois State (15-6, 2-1 Missouri Valley Conference) could not overcome and early deficit en route to a 3-1 loss to Bradley (14-5, 1-2 Missouri Valley Conference) Saturday afternoon in Terre Haute, Ind. With a doubleheader sweep Friday, the Redbirds claimed the series-win versus the Braves.
Bradley struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Isaac Smith was hit by a pitch to open the game. He advanced to second on a groundout and scored on Max Murphy's run-scoring single. Greg Partika followed with a single and, after a strikeout, Murphy scored when Paul DeJong misplayed a pop fly from Elliot Ashbeck. One of the two runs in the first inning was earned off Rhoades.
Cameron Roegner (4-0) shut out Illinois State over 6.2 innings. The Redbirds left runners on base in the second, fourth, fifth and sixth innings off Roegner, who struck out a career-high six. Tyler Leffler added a run-scoring double in the eighth inning to extend the Bradley lead to 3-0. Rhoades (1-2) worked three 1-2-3 innings and suffered the defeat.
Illinois State scored one run off Matt Dennis in the eighth inning on Brian Rodemoyer's RBI-groundout. Dennis (3) worked the final 2.1 innings for Bradley for the save.
Will Headean fired a scoreless ninth inning for Illinois State. The Redbirds put the tying run on first base with two outs in the bottom of the frame, but Dennis retired Daniel Dwyer to end the game.
The Redbirds return to action Tuesday, March 25, with a non-conference game versus Illinois. First pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m. from Duffy Bass Field.
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