NORMAL, Ill. – Third-year freshman Sean Sinisko fired seven scoreless innings with six strikeouts to lead the Illinois State baseball team to a 3-1 game and series win over Evansville on Sunday at Duffy Bass Field.
Third-year sophomore Derek Salata inherited two runners in the 9th inning but induced a pop-up before fanning two Purples Aces to record the save for Illinois State (16-22 overall, 7-5 Missouri Valley Conference).
Second-year freshman Ryan Cermak recorded a key RBI triple to go with a highlight-reel, run-saving catch.
The Purple Aces (20-18 overall, 5-10 MVC) outhit ISU, 8-5.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Cermak tripled to right-center to plate fourth-year junior Jack Butler in the 4th inning.
ISU added on with an RBI by first-year freshman Luke Cheng before an RBI single by fifth-year senior Jordan Libman in the bottom of the 6th.
UE threatened in the 9th inning but Salata left runners stranded on second and third after retiring three-straight Purple Aces to close the game.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Jack Butler extended his hitting streak to 16 games.
- Cermak's triple was 105 MPH off the bat.
- Fourth-year junior Jeremy Gaines made his first start since 3/24.
UP NEXT
Illinois State is scheduled to face SIUE on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. CT.
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).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
