Box Score
WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State scored seven runs in the sixth inning to turn a two-run deficit into a five-run lead as the host Shockers earned a 12-7 win and a series sweep of the Illinois State baseball team Saturday afternoon at Eck Stadium.
Wichita State took advantage of five hits, three walks and three Redbird errors in the sixth inning to plate seven runs and take control for good. Paired with its doubleheader sweep of the Redbirds on Friday, the Shockers were able to take all three games in the Missouri Valley Conference series.
Owen Miller and Noah Sadler collected two hits each for Illinois State, and Collin Braithwaite hit a two-run home run, but it wasn't enough to overcome Wichita State's late offense on Saturday.
Wichita State (21-22, 6-6 MVC) grabbed an early lead in the series finale, thanks to Alec Bohm's RBI triple and a sacrifice fly from Willie Schwanke in the first inning. Illinois State tied it up the next half inning, however, on a two-run home run from Braithwaite.
The Shockers pushed back ahead with a Greyson Janista sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second. But Illinois State (11-31, 1-11) came back again the next half inning, plating three runs thanks to a pair of Wichita State miscues. Sadler tripled and scored on a wild pitch. Nick Zouras walked before Ryan Hutchinson reached on a fielding error by WSU's left fielder. Both Zouras and Hutchinson scored on the play to make it a 5-3 lead for the Redbirds.
Wichita State tied it in the fifth on RBI singles from Trey Vickers and Luke Ritter. But once again, the Redbirds answered the next half inning with run-scoring singles from Joe Butler and Miller.
The Shockers took control of the game for good, though, in the sixth inning. Jenista scored on a wild pitch to start the rally. Vickers followed with a two-run double, just before an RBI single from Ritter. An RBI groundout from Josh DeBacker brought in another run, before a Redbird fielding error allowed two more to score to cap the Shockers' big inning.
Redbird starter Jeffrey Barton allowed five runs over the first four innings Saturday. Mitch Vogrin allowed two hits but no runs over two-thirds of an inning to follow. Colton Johnson suffered the pitching loss after surrendering seven runs (five earned) over one inning of work. Jeff Lindgren and Michael Sebby posted scoreless appearances to finish out the game.
The Redbirds return to Duffy Bass Field on Tuesday to host Milwaukee at 4:30 p.m. Links for live video, audio and stats 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.
