GREENVILLE, N.C. – The Illinois State baseball team fell at No. 7 East Carolina,11-8, in a game that featured 10 unearned runs between the two teams on Sunday at Lewis Field at Clark-LeClair Stadium.
Illinois State (5-12 overall), which had eight different players score a run, plated the game's first three runs, but gave up the lead for good after a key Redbird error utlimately resulted in four unearned runs in the bottom of the 1st.
Fifth-year senior Jordan Libman, fourth-year juniors Jeremy Gaines and Jack Butler, and second-year freshman Ryan Cermak each recorded two hits. Jack Butler had a 2-RBI single in the 1st inning to start the game's scoring.
Third-year sophomore Derek Salata threw just 14 pitches to record six outs out of the Redbird bullpen.
Seth Caddell had four RBIs and three runs scored to lead East Carolina (16-3 overall).
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds jumped out to a 3-0 lead after Jack Butler had a 2-RBI single and scored with a nifty slide at plate following a single to right field by Cermak.
ISU starting pitcher and third-year freshman Sean Sinisko appeared to have gotten out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the 1st, but a throwing error on a ground ball by the 'Birds scored two runs for ECU before the Pirates capitalized a scored two more, taking a 4-3 lead after one inning.
ECU added the game's next five runs to lead 9-3 after four innings.
The 'Birds responded with a run in the top of the 5th. In the 6th, Gaines beat out an infield single to score Cermak before bases-loaded double play scored another ISU run. An ECU miscue on a strikeout allowed a two more Redbird runs to score as Libman singled to right field to make the game 9-8.
East Carolina scored twice in the bottom of the 6th and the 'Birds were unable to plate another run in the game.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Eight different Redbirds scored.
- Fourth-year junior Kyle Soberano made his first start of the season, playing second base.
- Libman extended his hitting streak to six games. He now has a hit in 15-of-17 games in 2021.
UP NEXT
Illinois State is scheduled to face Eastern Illinois on Tuesday at Duffy Bass Field with a 6:00 p.m. CT first pitch.
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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