NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Illinois State baseball team was topped by No. 1 Vanderbilt for the second day in a row at Charles Hawkins Field. Vanderbilt won Saturday's game, 3-2.
Illinois State (4-4) trailed by just one run in the top of the ninth inning, and twice brought the go-ahead run to the plate, but stranded the potential game-tying run at second base as Vanderbilt (8-2) won its fifth-consecutive game.
Vanderbilt won the series opener on Friday, 16-1.
"I don't think there's any comparison to how we played today versus how we played last night," said Illinois State head coach Bo Durkac. "What we did today in a close-fought loss, is the team we can be for the rest of the season, there's no doubt in my mind. We played a thousand times better in every phase of the game.
Illinois State chipped away at Vanderbilt's three-run lead with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning Saturday. Ryan Koziol singled down the left-field line with one out, and Jared Hendren followed with a walk. Sean Beesley loaded the bases with a two-out walk, before Daniel Dwyer hit a two-run single up the middle to pull the visitors within one run.
Redbird starter Jacob Hendren allowed two Vanderbilt runs in the first inning before finding a rhythm. He allowed one more in the fifth inning before pitching a scoreless sixth. Hendren took the loss despite turning in a quality start, after allowing five hits, two walks and three runs, while striking out five, over six innings of work.
Steve Heilenbach pitched two scoreless innings of relief to keep the Redbirds within striking distance.
Dwyer and Koziol led the Redbird bats with two hits apiece. Mason Snyder registered Illinois State's only other hit.
The Redbirds will return to Charles Hawkins Field for the finale of the three-game series on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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