WICHITA, Kan. – The Illinois State baseball team took a 7-2 win over Missouri Valley Conference leader Wichita State Friday night in front of 3,056 fans at Eck Stadium's Tyler Field.
Will Headean pitched eight strong innings to help the Redbirds win the series opener. Wichita State outhit the Redbirds, 8-5, but Illinois State took advantage of 10 walks, as Daniel Dwyer and Paul DeJong walked four times each to set the table for the Redbirds.
"We played like a high-level team tonight, no doubt about it," said Illinois State head coach Bo Durkac. "It starts with your starting pitching and our starter was pretty good. Will pitched great."
The Redbirds took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning when Sean Beesley scored Jared Hendren with an RBI groundout.
Illinois State (15-15, 2-5 MVC) widened the lead with five runs in the sixth inning. Dwyer and Joe Kelch singled to start the inning, and DeJong walked to load the bases. Ryan Koziol drew another walk to score Dwyer, and Beesley scored Kelch and DeJong with a two-out single to center field. Catcher Jean Ramirez capped the inning with a two-run single to left that scored Koziol and Beesley.
Wichita State (13-20, 5-2) scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run home run from Sam Hilliard, but the Redbirds got one of those back with a sacrifice fly from Mason Snyder that scored Dwyer in the top of the seventh.
Headean turned in one of his best outings of the year on Friday, scattering eight hits and allowing two walks and two runs, while fanning five over eight stellar innings. Steve Heilenbach pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to finish off the game.
Dwyer reached base all in all five of his plate appearances Friday, with four walks and a single. He scored two runs and stole a base. DeJong also had four walks, as he and Dwyer became the first Redbirds to walk four times in a game in nearly two years.
Ramirez and Beesley drove in two and three runs, respectively, while providing key hits in the sixth-inning rally.
The Redbirds and Shockers are back in action Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.
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