NORMAL, Ill. – Missouri State rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth inning to break a 4-4 tie as the No. 15 Bears took a 7-4 win in the rubber match of a three-game Missouri Valley Conference series Sunday at Duffy Bass Field.
Illinois State's bullpen retired 11-straight batters, beginning in the sixth inning, but five-straight Bears reached base with two outs in the three-run ninth against Redbird reliever Ryan Koziol. The Redbirds then went down in order in the bottom of the ninth as the league-leading Bears left town with a series win.
The Redbirds got on the scoreboard first Sunday when Paul DeJong hit his 14th home run of the season, a solo shot to right field, in the bottom of the first inning.
Missouri State (30-10, 9-3 MVC) was quick to answer, plating three runs in the top of the second thanks to a pair of home runs. Spencer Johnson led off the inning with a solo blast to right. Leadoff hitter Dylan Becker followed with a two-run homer moments later.
Illinois State (21-20, 6-9) tied the game in the fourth, courtesy of a two-run home run from Koziol. Koziol's home run to right field plated Jared Hendren, who had drawn a walk to lead off the inning.
The Bears nudged back ahead in the top of the fifth, however, as Tate Matheny was hit by a pitch and moved to third on a Justin Paulsen double. Matheny scored on a Jake Burger groundout.
Illinois State tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with a sacrifice fly from Hendren, scoring Sean Beesley.
Redbird starter Steve Heilenbach went five innings, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks. Heilenbach struck out two. Relievers Jack Czeszewski and Jake Sale each pitched a perfect inning of relief, before turning it over to Koziol, who also pitched a perfect eighth.
Koziol recorded the first two outs in the ninth, before surrendering a double to Becker. He then walked Joey Hawkins, before hitting Matheny and Paulsen in back-to-back at-bats. Burger followed with a two-run single to cap the three-run inning.
The Redbirds are off Monday before returning to action Tuesday with a non-conference game at Purdue. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m. CT in West Lafayette, Indiana.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.Â
