SPRINGFIELD, Mo.– The Illinois State Redbirds dropped both games of a series-ending doubleheader against the Missouri State Bears, falling 6-3 in the opener, and 12-3 in the series finale.
For the day, Joe Aeilts was 4-for-8 at the plate with two runs scored, while Owen Miller was 2-for-8 at the plate.
In the opening game, Missouri State struck first with a run in the bottom of the first inning.
After a scoreless second inning, the Redbird offense started its push, opening the inning with back-to-back singles from Aeilts and Nick Zouras to put two runners on base. A throwing error loaded the bases with no outs in the inning. John Rave followed by reaching on an error, chasing home Aeilts with the RBI, as Zouras also came around to score to put ISU ahead 2-1. A Miller fielder's choice followed, which scored Joe Butler, and put the Redbirds ahead 3-1.
Missouri State chipped away at the Redbird advantage with a run in the third and another in the fourth to tie the score at three runs apiece.
Two more scoreless innings followed, as the teams kept their tie score through the bottom of the seventh inning, until the hosts put their lead out of reach with a three-run home run, putting the Bears ahead 6-3.
The Redbirds threatened in the top of the eighth inning, as the visitors got back-to-back one-out base hits from Miller and Collin Braithwaite, before Tyson Hays was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs; however, none of the runs were able to come around to score with a fly-out to center field for the third out of the inning.
A 1-2-3 top of the ninth inning ended any chance at a comeback for the Redbirds, as the team fell 6-3.
Brady Huffman picked up a no-decision as a starter, scattering seven hits over five innings of work, while striking out two, while Colton Johnson struck out one over three innings; however, earned the loss for the Redbirds.
In the nightcap, Missouri State jumped out early, scoring twice in the first inning, four times in the second, and twice more in the third frame.
Illinois State put a comeback effort in the top of the fourth inning, when the squad put together some two-out magic. Aeilts hit a two-out double, which was followed by a single from Jordan Libman to chase home Aeilts. Derek Parola followed a batter later with a two-run home run that cut the deficit to 8-3.
Outside of an eight-inning double by Miller, the Redbird offense would not be able to make any more waves in the contest, as Missouri State scored once in the fifth, twice in the sixth, and once in the seventh to give the game its 12-3 final score.
The Redbirds return to action on Tuesday, April 24, as the team travels to face off against in-town foe Illinois Wesleyan for a 6 p.m. first pitch.
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