NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball team won the second game of the series against Arkansas State, 10-9, before dropping the series finale, 13-6, on a windy Sunday at Duffy Bass Field.
The Redbirds (7-14 overall) and Red Wolves (5-14 overall) resumed Saturday's game, which was postponed due to weather, in the bottom of the 4th inning.
Second-year freshman Ryan Cermak accumulated four hits (1B, 2B, 3B, HR) and six RBIs between the two games. Fifth-year senior Jordan Libman was walked seven times and blasted a 414-foot home run to center field over the two contests.
Third-year sophomore Hayden Jones hit a three-run home run in the nightcap.
The Redbirds were out-hit in both contests, with ASU holding 12-10 and 19-7 advantages on the day.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One – Resumed Game
The first game resumed in the bottom of the 4th.
ISU plated three runs in the 5th inning, headlined by a two-run Cermak triple.
Cermak homered in the 7th inning to put the 'Birds up 8-2 before the Red Wolves cut the lead to 9-8 in the 8th inning.
Libman's solo home run provided ISU with a much-needed insurance run as ASU scored one run in the 9th inning. Third-year sophomore Derek Salata used one pitch to record his second save of the season, stranding a runner on second.
Game Two
ASU scored the game's first three runs, but a Cermak RBI tied it at 3-3 in the 5th inning.
Jones' 5th inning home run put the 'Birds up, 6-3.
The Red Wolves plated the game's next 10 runs to seal the victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Game One – Resumed Game
- The Redbirds scored in four straight innings (5th-8th).
- ISU drew nine walks by just four players (Fifth-year junior Aidan Huggins, fourth-year junior Jack Butler, Libman, and Jones)
- For the second-straight game, eight-of-nine players in the ISU lineup had at least one hit.
Game Two
- Libman's four walks drawn were the most by any Redbird since Libman drew four on 4/9/2019.
- Nine pitchers used is tied for the most arms used by an ISU team since 2000 (other is against Illinois Wesleyan on 4/27/2010).
- 11 walks are the most by an ISU pitching staff since 2/15/2019.
UP NEXT
Illinois State is scheduled to face Eastern Illinois on the road on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. CT. The 'Birds then travel to Southern Illinois on Friday to begin Missouri Valley Conference play.
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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