VALPARAISO, Ind. – Illinois State split a doubleheader this afternoon with Valparaiso. The Redbirds defeated the Crusaders 12-6 in game one. The 'Birds fell in game two to the Crusaders 4-2. Illinois State took the series 2-1 over Valparaiso to open conference play.
Redbird Performers Game 1
Top Hitters:
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Joe Aeilts: 3-for-6, 3 2B, 1 RBI, 1 Run
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jordan Libman: 3-for-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 1 Run
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â John Rave: 3-for-6, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 Runs
Pitching Breakdown:
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jeff Lindgren (W, 3-2, Starter): 5.0 IP, 7 Hits, 4 Runs, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Colton Johnson: 3.0 IP, 3 Hits, 1 K
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jackson Bronke: 1.0 IP, 1 Hit, 2 Runs, 2 ER, 1 BB
Scoring Breakdown:
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Valparaiso scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning to go up 3-0 on ISU.
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Derek Parola homered in the top of the third inning with Huggins on to trim the lead to 3-2.
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Valpo scored in the bottom of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 4-2 over Illinois State.
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Rave homered to open up the fifth inning with Huggins on again to tie the game at four runs apiece. Aeilts doubled to left field to score Libman. Peterson then singled to center field to score Aeilts. Later in the inning, Joe Butler scored on a passed ball to conclude the five-run fifth inning. ISU led Valpo 7-4.
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â ISU scored one run in the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth, Libman hit a sacrifice fly to score Rave to go up 8-4. In the seventh, Peterson smashed a solo home run to right field, as the Redbirds led the Crusaders 9-4.
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jack Butler scored on a throwing error in the top of the ninth for the tenth run of the game. Later, Libman doubled to center to score Rave and Parola. ISU led Valparaiso 12-4
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Dawson hit a two-run home run for Valpo in the bottom of the ninth inning to make the score 12-6. That would conclude the scoring, as Illinois State defeated Valparaiso in game one of the doubleheader.
Redbird Performers Game 2
Top Hitters:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Matt Walker (L, 1-5, Starter): 7.0 IP, 7 Hits, 3 Runs, 3 ER, 1 BB, 10 K's
- Mitch Vogrin: 0.2 IP, 1 Hit, 1 Run, 1 ER, 2 BB
- Jack Anderson: 0.1 IP
Scoring Breakdown:
- Valparaiso scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly, and a single to center field. The Crusaders led the Redbirds 2-0.
- In the top of the third, the Redbirds tied the game. Aeilts drew a walk that scored Jack Butler. Parola later scored on a wild pitch in the inning to tie the game at two runs apiece.
- Shaikin homered in the bottom of the sixth for Valparaiso to put them back on top 3-2.
- In the bottom of the eighth, Wickman reached on a fielder's choice for the Crusaders to add to the lead.
- Illinois State had the tying run on first base in the top of the ninth inning, but were unavailable to score any runs. Valparaiso defeated Illinois State, 4-2 in game two of the doubleheader.
Quote from Coach Holm on the week and the series
"I thought we put together a heck of a week. Five games in six days is always tough especially on your pitching. We had five great starts and the bullpen through very well all week long. Sometimes you got to tip your cap to the other team. They threw really well on the mound in the second game, and we could not get a hit when we needed it."
Up Next:
Illinois State will host Illinois on Tuesday at Duffy Bass Field. First pitch is scheduled for 5 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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