Starting Pitching Helps ISU Win Game, Series vs. Dayton

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NORMAL, Ill. – A strong starting pitching effort from Brent Headrick and timely hitting helped the Illinois State baseball team to a 7-2 victory and a series win over Dayton Sunday at Duffy Bass Field.

Headrick allowed just two runs over six innings, while striking out three before giving way to Jack Landwehr, who tossed three scoreless frames to pick up the save. Headrick's win and Landwehr's save were the first of the season for each. 

Collin Braithwaite tallied three RBIs for the second game in a row and Joe Butler collected three hits in the win. John Rave tallied two hits and scored two runs, while Noah Sadler added two hits and two RBIs.

After splitting the first two games of the three-game series with Dayton, Sunday's win gave the Redbirds a series win in their first weekend series at Duffy Bass Field.

Dayton grabbed an early lead Sunday with two runs in the second inning. Connor Echols got the Flyers on the scoreboard first with a sacrifice fly, just moments before Tate Hagan singled in a run to make it a 2-0 lead for the visitors.

The Redbirds tied the game up with a two-run single from Braithwaite in the third. After Braithwaite stole second base, he was able to score on Sadler's single to left field. Illinois State added a run in the fifth on an RBI groundout from Braithwaite to push ahead at 4-2.  

Illinois State tacked on three insurance runs in the seventh. Sadler started the rally with an RBI single to right field before back-to-back sacrifice flies from Derek Parola and Bryce Grimm.

The Redbirds return to Duffy Bass Field Tuesday to face in-state rival Illinois on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Illinois State's annual "Stuff the Duff" game. Admission is free on Tuesday, and for all Redbird baseball home games this year. Links for live video, audio and stats can be found at GoRedbirds.com, and fans can follow @RedbirdBaseball on Twitter for live updates and more.

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