TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Illinois State took the third game of the series over Indiana State, bringing home the Missouri Valley Conference series win – the Redbirds' first at Indiana State since the 2014 season.
Four Redbird batters: Owen Miller, Collin Braithwaite, Nick Zouras, and Joe Aeilts had two hits in the game, while Tyson Hays drove in a game-high three RBI's.
After a scoreless first inning, Illinois State (14-17, 4-5 MVC) got its offense rolling in the top of the second, when Zouras and Aeilts hit back-to-back one-out singles. A strikeout set the table for Hays, who recorded his first collegiate hit with a three-run home run over the wall in left field, providing more than enough runs for the Redbird victory.
While getting his offense out in front of him, Redbird starting pitcher Matt Walker was nearly unhittable through four innings, as the sophomore allowed just two baserunners.
In the top of the fifth Illinois State added an insurance run when Braithwaite drove home John Rave with an RBI single, adding to the Redbird advantage.
The Indiana State (17-13, 3-6 MVC) offense threatened in the bottom of the fifth, when the hosts loaded the bases with one out; however, Walker got a looking strikeout and a groundout to end the threat. The hosts scored their first run of the game an inning later with a two-out RBI single, cutting the deficit to 4-1.
A Zouras RBI single that scored Noah Sadler in the top of the eighth inning gave the Redbirds their final offensive tally. The Sycamores fought back and got a run in the bottom of the ninth, but it was not enough, securing the 5-2 win.
Walker improved to 4-0 on the season as he pitched six innings and scattered five hits while striking out five and walking just two. Connor Peplow, Jeff Lindgren, and Braden Niksich each saw action out of the bullpen.
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