NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball team snapped a six-game losing streak with a 6-3 win over Arkansas State on Friday night at Duffy Bass Field.
Fifth-year senior Jordan Libman led the 12-hit Redbird offensive attack, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and run scored for the Redbirds (6-13 overall). All nine of ISU batters reached base safely before the end of the 3rd inning.
Fifth-year senior Colton Johnson recorded his first win of the 2021 campaign after a 6.1-inning, three-earned run performance. Second-year freshman Erik Kubiatowicz got five outs, four of which came via strikeout, to set up third-year sophomore Derek Salata for his first save of 2021.
Tyler Jeans threw 4.1 scoreless innings for Arkansas State (4-13 overall).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Arkansas State scratched across a run in the first inning.
Second-year freshman Ryan Cermak singled to score fourth-year junior Jack Butler before fifth-year junior Aidan Huggins recorded a sac fly to score fourth-year junior Nick Gile, putting the Redbirds up, 2-1.
Third-year sophomore Hayden Jones lined a single to right field to plate fourth-year junior Tyson Hays prior to third-year sophomore Gunner Peterson's infield single that scored Libman. The 'Birds led 4-1 after three innings.
Libman's single in the 6th inning put ISU up 5-1.
The Red Wolves scored twice in the 7th inning before Kubiatowicz came in and escaped a one-out, bases loaded jam.
Kubiatowicz and Salata shut the door for ISU.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Johnson had his first decision of the season…moving to 1-0.
- ISU had 12 singles and no-extra base hits.
- Libman extended his hitting streak to eight games. He now has a hit in 17-of-19 games in 2021.
- Gunner Peterson now has a seven-game hitting streak, recording his third-straight multi-hit.
UP NEXT
Illinois State is scheduled to face Arkansas State Saturday and Sunday for a game each day at Duffy Bass Field. The Saturday game has been moved from 5:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday's game will be on ESPN+ .
At this time, attendance is limited to player pass list only and not open to the general public.
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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