NORMAL, Ill. - Matt Lambert worked four perfect innings and Illinois State (20-11, 5-4 MVC) scored in all but one frame to run-rule NAIA Robert Morris, 13-3, in seven innings Thursday night at Duffy Bass Field. The Redbirds carried a no-hitter into the final frame versus the Eagles.
Lambert (1-0) secured his first college victory and worked a career-best four innings with a career-high five strikeouts. Ben Hecht, Cam Verbeke and Joe Claver worked the final three scoreless frames for Illinois State. Kris Mosdale (0-2) was chased from the game after two innings. He allowed four runs, two earned, on two hits with three walks and two strikeouts for the loss.
Jack Czeszewski tallied three hits and scored two runs as Illinois State's leadoff hitter. He added one RBI. Paul DeJong had two hits and two RBI, while Sean Beesley scored four runs and tied a career-high with three stolen bases.
The Redbirds scored two runs in each of the first two innings. DeJong ripped a RBI-double to left field and later scored on a sacrifice-fly from Mike Hollenbeck. Cody Voelker and DeJong each had RBI tallies in the second frame to build the Illinois State lead to 4-0. The Redbirds built the lead to 7-0 after three innings.
Illinois State tallied six runs over the final two innings to put the game away. The Eagles secured a one-out hit off Claver in the ninth to end the no-hit bid, however Claver induced a 9-6 double play to end the game.
The Redbirds return to action Sunday at 2:00 p.m. for a non-conference game versus Webster. Parking and admission remain free at Duffy Bass Field.
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