Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
WICHITA, Kan. – The Illinois State baseball team was swept by Wichita State in a Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader Friday at Eck Stadium. The Shockers won by scores of 11-1 and 10-5.
Wichita State improved to 20-22 overall and 5-6 in Valley play, while Illinois State fell to 11-30 and 1-10.
With expected inclement weather Saturday, the series finale has been moved up to an 11 a.m. start.
Game 1
Wichita State 11, Illinois State 1 (7 innings)
Wichita State scored seven runs in the fifth inning and limited Redbird hitters to just three hits in the opening-game win.
Shockers' starter Zach Lewis scattered three hits and allowed just one run over six innings, before a pair of Wichita State relievers combined to pitch a scoreless seventh inning, sealing the run-ruled win.
Illinois State scored the first run of the game when John Rave tripled and scored on Owen Miller's RBI groundout. But Wichita State scored the next 11 runs to claim the first game.
An RBI single from Jordan Boyer tied the game in the bottom of the second, and a Redbird throwing error moments later allowed the Shockers to take the lead. Wichita State then doubled its run total in the third on a two-run single from Josh DeBacker.
The hosts took control with seven runs in the fifth. Boyer drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in the first run. An RBI fielder's choice from Alex Jackson preceded a three-run home run from Greyson Jenista. Run-scoring hits from Willie Schwanke and Noah Croft capped the rally.
Redbird starter Brady Huffman suffered the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) over four innings. Nick Alvarado allowed three runs without recording an out in the seven-run fifth. Mitch Weis was tagged for four runs, also in the fifth, though only two were of the earned variety. Jack Spicer pitched a scoreless sixth inning.
Game 2
Wichita State 10, Illinois State 5
Wichita State scored seven of its 10 runs in the first three innings, while Shocker pitching limited the Redbirds to just five hits in the nightcap.
Illinois State scored in the first inning again in the second game as Miller drove in Rave yet again, this time with a single to center field. Wichita State tied it up in the bottom of the inning on Gunnar Troutwine's RBI fielder's choice, which came just before a go-ahead two-run single from Trey Vickers.
The Shockers put four runs on the scoreboard in the fourth. The scoring started with an RBI single from Schwanke. Luke Ritter brought in the next run with a bases-loaded walk. Boyer then singled up the middle to allow two more Shocker runs to score, making it a 7-1 lead for the hosts.
Sacrifice flies from Derek Parola and Zach Barnhart in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively, produced two runs for the Redbirds, but the Shockers got those runs back in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI triple from Travis Young and an RBI double from Boyer.
Illinois State plated two runs in the top of the sixth on an RBI triple from Joe Aeilts and a run-scoring single from Joe Butler.
Wichita State added an insurance run in the eighth on Croft's run-scoring fielder's choice.
Miller and Butler tallied two hits each in the second game, accounting for four of the Redbirds' five hits.
Trevor Cross suffered the loss in his first start as a Redbird after allowing seven runs (six earned) over 2.2 innings. Matt Walker allowed two runs over the next 2.1 innings, before Jack Landwehr pitched the final three innings, allowing one run.
Links for live video, audio and stats for Saturday's game are available at GoRedbirds.com, and fans can follow @RedbirdBaseball on Twitter for live updates and more.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
