NORMAL, Ill. – Steve Heilenbach turned in Illinois State's first nine-inning, complete-game pitching performance in nearly two years as the Redbirds scored a 7-1 win over SIUE in the final game of a four-game series Sunday at Duffy Bass Field.
Heilenbach limited SIUE to just one run on four hits and one walk over nine strong innings, while striking out three. He needed just 99 pitches to finish the game, which was the Redbirds' final non-conference game of the 2015 season.
Sunday's win sealed a 3-1 series win over SIUE as the Redbirds bounced back from a 4-1 loss Friday with a doubleheader sweep Saturday before Sunday's win.
Illinois State (24-22) took control of the game early with five runs in the second inning. Ryan Koziol got things started with a double to left-center field. Sean Beesley and Jack Czeszewski were hit by pitches in consecutive at-bats to load the bases, and Dennis Colon plated the first runs of the inning with a two-run double to the left. Paul DeJong followed with a run-scoring infield single after Daniel Dwyer walked to load the bases. Jared Hendren then brought in the final two runs of the inning with a single to right field.
The Redbirds added a run in the sixth on an SIUE balk and another in the seventh with a solo home run to left field from Hendren, his third of the season.
SIUE (16-25) scored its only run of the game with two outs in the top of the ninth, as Alec Saikal's single up the middle drove in pinch hitter Collin Book, spoiling Heilenbach's shutout bid.
Heilenbach's nine-inning outing is the longest of his Illinois State career, and the longest turned in by a Redbird pitcher this year. Heilenbach pitched the Redbirds' first nine-inning complete game since Dan Savas went the distance in the MVC Tournament's championship game in 2013.
Hendren, Kelch and Colon registered two hits apiece in Sunday's win. Dwyer reached base three times, with a single and a pair of walks.
The Redbirds are back in action next weekend with a three-game series at Missouri Valley Conference foe Bradley. The series opener is set for Friday at 6 p.m.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
