STILLWATER, Okla. – The Illinois State baseball team dropped the opening contest of a three-game series at No. 17 Oklahoma State, 3-2, following a walk-off single on Friday at O'Brate Stadium.
The Cowboys (4-0 overall) had a runner on first in the 9th who stole on the pitch and came all the way around to score on the single up the middle.
For the Redbirds (2-1 overall), fifth-year senior Colton Johnson fired 6.1 innings, striking out four while giving up four hits, two walks, and an earned run.
Third-year sophomore Hayden Jones tied the game with a single in the 9th inning after third-year sophomore Gunner Peterson doubled off the top of the right field wall.
Oklahoma State's Justin Campbell recorded the walk-off hit.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Redshirt sophomore Jake McCaw went the opposite way for a solo home run in the 3rd inning, putting Illinois State up 1-0.
The Cowboys scrapped across a run in the 4th inning. Johnson conceded a lead-off double in the 5th inning, but left the runner stranded on third base.
ISU drew three consecutive two-out walks in the 7th inning but was unable to bring across a run. OSU scored to take a 2-1 on a bases-loaded walk.
Illinois State responded in the top of the 9th when Jones plated Gunner Peterson on a single up the middle.
Oklahoma State scored on a single in the 9th inning to win the game.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Illinois State left 12 runners on base after the Redbirds out-hit the Cowboys, 9-5.
- Johnson did not allow a hit until the 4th inning.
- Gunner Peterson and fifth-year junior Aidan Huggins each reached base three times. Peterson added a steal and a run scored.
QUOTE FROM THIRD-YEAR HEAD COACH STEVE HOLM
"Colton threw the ball really well. Having the last week off, I wasn't sure how he'd respond, but he matched them pitch-for-pitch. He gave us the chance to win. We had the right guys up to the plate in the right spots multiple times, but we just couldn't get the big hit."
UP NEXT
Illinois State is scheduled for two more games at No. 17 Oklahoma State on February 27 and 28. The Saturday game can be streamed on ESPN+.
For the latest updates on Illinois State Baseball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdBaseball) and Instagram (isuredbirdbaseball), and like the team on Facebook (Illinois State Baseball).
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