CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Illinois State baseball team's bats caught fire in the second game of a doubleheader at SEMO on Saturday at Capaha Field. The Redbirds won 13-1 after dropping the first game, 5-1.
The Redbird offense was headed by fifth-year senior Jordan Libman, who went a combined 4-for-8 with a home run, double, three RBI, three runs, and a walk. Fourth-year junior Tyson Hays blasted a home run as part of a three-hit performance in game two.
Third-year freshman Sean Sinisko threw a 7-inning complete game in game two, allowing one earned run and four hits while striking out seven for Illinois State (3-5 overall). He did not walk or hit a batter.
Fourth-year junior Jack Butler was 3-for-5 with a double, RBI, and two runs while fifth-year senior Joe Butler was 2-for-4 with three RBI in the second game.
Fourth-year junior Jack Anderson threw three scoreless innings in the first game out of the bullpen.
Noah Niznik pitched a 7-inning complete game in game one for SEMO (4-6 overall).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1:
SEMO scored in the 1st inning before plating four runs in the 3rd inning.
Libman scored in the 4th inning on an RBI single by fifth-year junior Jeremy Gaines, but 'Birds were left off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
Game 2:
The 'Birds recorded four-straight hits to start the game. Joe Butler drove in two runs on a single before fourth-year junior Nick Gile doubled to score Jack Butler. Hays capped the inning with a two-run bomb to left field.
Making his collegiate debut on Saturday, first-year freshman Luke Cheng knocked in second-year freshman Ryan Cermak to put the 'Birds up, 7-0, after three innings.
Sinisko retired the first nine batters he faced before SEMO scratched across a run in the 4th.
Cheng knocked in Cermak for a second time prior to a three-run home run by Libman in the 5th inning to put the score at 11-1. The 'Birds added two more on an RBI double by Jack Butler and RBI single by Joe Butler.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Game 1:
- The Redbirds out-hit the Redhawks, 8-6, marking the fifth-straight game ISU had more or the same number of hits than the opponent but lost.
- Three 'Birds had two hits (Libman, fifth-year junior Aidan Huggins, and fourth-year sophomore Jake McCaw).
Game 2:
- Illinois State has not been out-hit yet this season, after out-hitting SEMO, 16-4.
- ISU had six players with two or more hits.
- The 16 hits are the most since the team had 18 against Indiana on 5/31/2019.
- The 13 runs are the most since the 'Birds won 14-1 at Bradley on 5/11/2019.
- Libman now has an eight-game hitting streak to start the season.
UP NEXT
Illinois State is scheduled for a 9-inning contest at SEMO on Sunday. The game will be ESPN SEMO radio.
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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