NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Illinois State baseball team split a doubleheader against the Vanderbilt Commodores on Sunday afternoon. Vanderbilt defeated Illinois State by a final of 9-1 in game one. The Redbirds beat the Commodores in game two by a final score of 7-3.
Redbird Performers Game 1
Top Hitters:
Pitching Breakdown:
Scoring Breakdown:
- In the top of the second inning, Butler put down a sac bunt that scored Hutchinson. The 'Birds would lead 1-0 after the top half of the inning. The Commodores would score a run in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game at 1-1 after two complete innings.
- Vanderbilt would score in the next three innings. The Commodores scored a run in the third, two runs in the fourth, and three runs in the fifth to take a 7-1 lead over the Redbirds.
- Vanderbilt would score two runs in the eighth inning to increase its lead over Illinois State. The Commodores defeated the Redbirds by a final score of 9-1 in game one.
Redbird Performers Game 2
Top Hitters:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Matt Walker (Starter): 4.0 IP, 7 Hits, 3 Runs, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K's
- Colton Johnson (W, 2-0): 3.0 IP, 2 Hits, 1 BB, 4 K's
- Jacob Gilmore (Save, 4): 1.1 IP, 0 hits
Scoring Breakdown:
- Hays would hit a sacrifice fly to left that scored Aeilts in the top of the second to put Illinois State up 1-0 over Vanderbilt. However, the Commodores would score two runs in the home half to go up 2-1 over the Redbirds after the second inning.
- Illinois State responded in the top of the third inning to score four runs and take the lead back. First, Parola singled to right field to bring home Rave and Gaines to put ISU back on top 3-2. Then, Aeilts singled to bring home Parola. Finally, Hays walked to bring home Libman. Illinois State led Vanderbilt 5-2.
- In the top of the fourth inning, Huggins scored on a wild pitch to increase the ISU lead to 6-2.
- The Commodores scored on a single in the home half of the fifth to make the score 6-3 in favor of ISU.
- Aeilts singled in the bottom of the ninth to bring home Rave to add an insurance run for the Redbirds to make it 7-3.
- Illinois State would close the door on Vanderbilt in the ninth inning to knock off the number one team in the country by a final score of 7-3 in game two of the doubleheader.
Quote from Coach Holm on the Team's Performance
"We played like we belonged on the same field as them today. Walker has been our hottest pitcher and he matched up really well against them. Our bullpen did an incredible job throwing strikes and giving us great life."
Up Next:
Illinois State will face off in two weekday matchups against Southeast Missouri State and Southern Illinois Edwardsville on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively this week. First pitch for Tuesday is set for 3 p.m., and first pitch at SIUE is scheduled for 4 p.m. For updates on Illinois State Baseball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdBaseball) and Instagram (@isuredbirdbaseball).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
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