NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball team dropped its sixth-straight contest, a 9-7 scoreline against Eastern Illinois on Wednesday night at Duffy Bass Field.
The Redbirds (5-13 overall) conceded three runs in the first inning before tied the game after two innings before a two-out pop-up down the right field line that fell scored two Panthers runs and ultimately yielded four EIU runs in total.
Illinois State produced its second-highest output in hits (14) and total bases (23) led by three hits from third-year sophomore Hayden Jones.
The first four hitters in the Illinois State lineup (third-year sophomore Gunner Peterson, fifth-year junior Aidan Huggins, fifth-year senior Jordan Libman, and fourth-year junior Jack Butler) each had two hits.
First-year freshman Mason Burns, fifth-year junior Jacob Gilmore, and third-year sophomore Derek Salata each faced the minimum in their respective one inning relief appearances. Burns made his collegiate debut and struck out the side.
The first four hitters were a combined 10-for-17 (.588) while the bottom five hitters were a combined 1-for-18 (.056) for Eastern Illinois (11-9 overall).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Eastern Illinois plated three-1st inning runs before ISU scored a run of their own the bottom half of the inning.
A two-RBI single by Gunner Peterson tied the game after two innings.
The Redbirds nearly hauled in a two-out pop-up down the right field line but the ball dropped for a 2-RBI triple. The Panthers capitalized and the next batter blasted a two-run home run to right-center field.
The 'Birds scored a run in both the 4th and 5th innings to make the score 7-5 in favor of EIU.
EIU scored twice in the 6th and the 'Birds' two runs in 7th inning concluded the game's scoring.
Illinois State got runners to first and third base in the 9th inning but fell victim to three strikeouts to close the game.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Gunner Peterson and Jones each recorded their first multi-hit games of the season. Jones had a career-high three hits.
- ISU had a season-best five doubles, two triples, and seven extra-base hits. Five doubles are the most since 4/9/2019 (vs Illinois). Two triples are the most since 2/15/2019 (at Belmont). Seven extra-base hits are the most since 3/6/2020 (vs VCU).
- Libman extended his hitting streak to seven games. He now has a hit in 16-of-18 games in 2021.
UP NEXT
Illinois State is scheduled to face Arkansas State March 26-28 for three games at Duffy Bass Field.
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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