NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball team defeated Northern Illinois, 10-2 at Duffy Bass Field on Tuesday afternoon. The Redbirds scored double digit runs for the ninth time this season to improve to 26-15. It was also 10th win at home this season for the 'Birds.
Top Hitters
- Derek Parola: 2-for-5, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 Run
- Aidan Huggins: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 Runs
- John Rave: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBIs, 1 Run
Pitching Breakdown:
- Brett Wicklund (W, 4-2, Starter): 6.0 IP, 4 Hits, 1 Run, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K's
- Michael Sebby: 1.0 IP, 1 Hit, 2 K's
- Rhett Rapshus: 1.0 IP, 2 Hits, 1 Run, 1 ER
- Connor Peplow: 1.0 IP, 0 Hits, 1 BB, 1 K
Quote from Coach Holm on team's play at home
"The crowd really backs them. You could tell early on in the season when we were on the road we would get down and there was a little bit of panic. Now, you saw we were down in the first, and there was zero panic. Guys were confident, and they were not trying to do it themselves and that is a sign of a comfortable team."
Scoring Breakdown:
- The Huskies scored in the top of the first inning on a triple to right-center field to take the lead 1-0.
- In the bottom of the third inning, Huggins doubled to right field to score Jack Butler to tie the game. Huggins would later score in the inning on a throwing error by the Huskies shortstop to take the lead 2-1.
- Tyson Hays singled to center field to score Gunner Peterson to extend the lead to 3-1 over Northern Illinois in the fourth inning.
- Illinois State scored six runs in the home half of the sixth inning, as Joe Butler hit a sacrifice fly to left to bring home Joe Aeilts. Huggins singled to left field to score Hays. Next, Rave doubled to drive home Jack Butler and Huggins. Parola capped off the inning with a two-run home run to left field for his third of the season to make the score 9-1 in favor of the Redbirds.
- In the bottom of the seventh inning, Jack Butler doubled to right-center field to score Hays to make the score 10-1
- Northern Illinois would score one more run in the game on a single to right field in the top of the eighth inning to make it 10-2.
- Peplow finished the game for Illinois State on the mound, as he would strike out the final two batters to seal the victory for the 'Birds.
Up Next:
The Redbirds return to action this weekend, as the team heads on the road to Dallas Baptist for their second consecutive conference series away from Duffy Bass Field. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6:30 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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