NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State scored three runs in the final two innings of the game; however, a seven-run eighth inning for Dallas Baptist was too much to overcome, as the visiting Patriots topped the Redbirds 9-4 in the opening game in the MVC series.
John Rave went 2-for-4 for the Redbirds with an RBI, as the team's other six hits came from six different batters. Four different players scored for ISU – Collin Braithwaite, Derek Parola, Nick Zouras and Joe Aeilts. Brent Headrick picked up the loss on the mound, going four innings and giving up two runs while striking out six in the contest.
The Redbirds struck first with two outs in the bottom of the 3rd inning, when the team got back-to-back singles from Aeilts and Rave. Aeilts advanced to third on Rave's single, and proceeded to score on a throwing error on the DBU right fielder.
Dallas Baptist took the lead in the top of the 5th inning as the Patriots strung together a couple of hits to jump ahead 2-1.
The Patriot offense erupted in the 8th inning, as DBU brought 10 batters to the plate, and scored seven runs to go up 9-1 heading into the middle of the 8th.
Rave drove in Zouras in the bottom of the 8th inning on his second triple of the season, cutting the deficit to 9-2.
The Redbirds once again trimmed the lead in the 9th inning as the hosts got back-to-back doubles from Parola and Jack Butler to drive in Braithwaite and Parola, and trim the margin to 9-4.
The Redbirds are back in action tomorrow against the Patriots for game two of the three game series. First pitch from Duffy Bass Field is set for 2:00 P.M.
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