JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Illinois State (5-8) split a doubleheader Friday after defeating Virginia Commonwealth (8-5) 8-5 in the first game before falling to host Jacksonville (6-8) 16-1 in the nightcap.
Redbird Performers Game 1
Top Hitters:
Gunner Peterson: 3 for 5, 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBIs
Jordan Libman: 2 for 3, 2 R, 1 RBIs, 2B
Aidan Huggins: 2 for 3, 2 R
Braedon Blackford: 2 for 5, 2B
Pitching Breakdown:
Colton Johnson: 5.0 IP, 11 hits, 4 runs, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Connor Peplow: 3.0 IP, 5 hits, 1 run, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Erik Kubiatowicz: 1.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Scoring Breakdown:
- The Redbirds started the scoring with two runs in the top of the first inning on RBI doubles by Jordan Libman and Gunner Peterson.
- VCU responded with two solo home runs in the bottom half to tie the game at 2-2.
- A RBI double by Steven Carpenter gave the Rams a 3-2 advantage in the second inning.
- The Redbirds scored six runs on five hits in the fifth inning to jump in front 8-3. Gunner Peterson hit a grand slam, and Jeremy Gaines and Kyle Soberano each had run-scoring hits in the frame.
- Carpenter added a run in the sixth inning for the Rams on a sacrifice fly.
- The Rams scored a run in the bottom of the ninth, but Erik Kubiatowicz recorded his second save of the season to get the Redbirds out of the jam.
Redbird Performers Game 2
Top Hitters:
Jake McCaw: 1 for 3, 3B, 1 R
Pitching Breakdown:
Brett Wicklund: 2.1 IP, 6 hits, 6 runs, 6 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Jacob Gilmore: 0.2 IP, 1 hit, 4 runs, 3 ER, 4 BB, 1 K
Austin Dickey: 2.0 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Jackson Bronke: 1.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Bailey Cantu: 1.1 IP, 0 hits, 3 runs, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Jordan Libman: 0.2 IP, 1 hit, 2 runs, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Scoring Breakdown:
- Jacksonville jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a two-run single by Anthony George.
- The Dolphins added eight runs on four hits in the third inning to extend the lead to 10-0.
- Jacob Southern hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to make it 11-0.
- The Redbirds got on the board in the fifth inning, as Jeremy Gaines drove in Jake McCaw with an RBI groundout.
- Jacksonville scored its final five runs in the eighth inning.
Up Next:
The Redbirds will face-off with Jacksonville for a single game Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. CT.
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