MILWAUKEE, Wisc. – The Illinois State baseball team dropped the first game of a four-game set at Milwaukee by a 2-1 scoreline on Friday at Franklin Field.
Fifth-year senior Colton Johnson produced another impressive start but falls to 2-2 in 2021. Johnson tossed six innings while striking out seven and giving up seven hits without walking or hitting a batter.
First-year freshman Luke Cheng had two hits and an RBI to lead the Illinois State (12-19 overall, 4-4 MVC) offensive attack. Fourth-year junior Nick Gile had two hits.
Second-year freshman Erik Kubiatowicz recorded two scoreless innings out of the Redbird pen.
Milwaukee (13-15 overall, 12-8 Horizon) recorded snapped a 19-game non-conference losing streak, extending back to 2020.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Panthers struck first with three singles in the 1st inning before scratching across an unearned run to lead 2-0.
ISU loaded the bases in the 3rd inning but was unable to cash in after an inning-end double play. The 'Birds stranded a pair of runners in the 6th inning.
Cheng beat out an infield ground ball for an RBI single in the 7th inning, plating fourth-year junior Jack Butler.The 'Birds, however, could not capitalize on the first-and-third, no outs situation and trailed 2-1 following the top of the 7th.
The 'Birds did not threaten the rest of the way.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Jack Butler extended his hitting streak to nine games.
- Second-year freshman Ryan Cermak extended his on-base streak to 22 games.
- The Redbirds picked off two runners and fifth-year senior Joe Butler recorded an outfield assist for three MKE outs on the base paths.
- 2:16 is ISU's quickest 9-inning game of the season.
- The Redbirds were unable to record an extra-base hit for the first time in 12 games.
UP NEXT
Illinois State are scheduled for three more games at Milwaukee this weekend. The Saturday doubleheader is on ESPN3
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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