Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth and capped its final midweek game of the season with a game-winning walk-off single from Owen Miller as the Redbirds overcame a four-run deficit to earn an 8-7 win over visiting Milwaukee Tuesday at Duffy Bass Field.
Illinois State (12-31) scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to get within two runs of the lead and completed the comeback in the ninth with Miller's game-winner. Big offensive days from Ryan Hutchinson and Noah Sadler were key for Illinois State, as both came up with big hits in the ninth inning rally. Hutchinson collected a career-high four hits in the game, while Sadler reached base in all six of his plate appearances.
In the ninth, Anthony Sanchez started the rally with a one-out single off the third baseman's glove. Hutchinson followed with a single to right field and advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt while Sanchez scored to trim the Panthers' lead to one. Joe Butler then drew a walk before the Redbirds tied the game when John Rave reached on an error on what could have been an inning-ending double play. Sadler then singled to load the bases before Miller delivered the game-winner, a no-doubt single down the left-field line.
The win snapped Illinois State's five-game losing streak. The walk-off win is Illinois State's first in nearly a full calendar year, as the Redbirds last won in walk-off fashion on May 8, 2016, against Bradley.
Milwaukee (17-25) plated four runs in the top of the first inning Tuesday, thanks to a solo home run from Daulton Varshon and – after a Redbird error allowed the inning to continue – a three-run shot from Mike Jordahl.
Illinois State put single tallies on the scoreboard in the second and third, respectively, on run-scoring singles from Hutchinson and Nick Zouras, to cut the visitors' lead in half.
Milwaukee got a run back in the fifth when Varsho scored on a wild pitch, but the Redbirds closed back within two runs of the lead in the sixth with an RBI single from Sadler. Â
The Panthers cushioned their lead in the seventh with a sacrifice fly from Ben Chally and a run-scoring single from Jordahl, making it a 7-3 advantage. Â
The Redbirds came back with two in the bottom of the eighth, delivered via an RBI single from Sadler and a run-scoring groundout from Miller.
Illinois State then won it in the ninth, as the Redbirds tallied four hits and a walk, while taking advantage of two Milwaukee errors, in the inning.
The Redbirds racked up 16 hits in the win, with Hutchinson (4-for-5) and Sadler (3-for-3) leading the way. Rave and Butler tallied two hits each.
Redbird starter Jeff Lindgren allowed four runs (only one earned) over the first 2.1 innings. Michael Sebby was charged with one run over the next 1.2 innings, before Jack Landwehr pitched a scoreless inning. Matt Walker allowed two runs in the seventh inning, but Colton Johnson and Trevor Cross posted scoreless outings to finish off the game. Cross picked up the win by recording the final four outs.
The Redbirds return to Duffy Bass Field Friday to begin a three-game series with Indiana State. 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.
