CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball team fell, 6-5, against Valparaiso in an MVC Tournament elimination game in a wild finish that ended the Redbirds' season on Thursday at Itchy Jones Stadium
The Redbirds (23-34 overall) appeared to have tied the game in the bottom of the 9th inning when the Valparaiso shortstop threw high to first base. The Valparaiso first baseman tagged fourth-year junior Tyson Hays on the helmet, but the first base umpire initially ruled him safe. Fifth-year junior Jeremy Gaines scored all the way from second base prior to the call being overturned upon video replay, ending the game.
Fifth-year junior Jack Butler recorded a key three-run double and fifth-year senior Joe Butler had three hits, an RBI, a stolen base, and a walk to lead the Illinois State offense.
Eighth-seeded Valparaiso advances to play Friday against an opponent to be determined.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Valparaiso struck first with a run in the opening frame, but Jack Butler cleared the bases with a double before Joe Butler doubled him home for a 4-1 Redbird lead.
Both teams went cold before Valparaiso tied it in the 6th inning with three runs.
A double by McCaw put the Redbirds up after seven innings at 5-4 before the Brown and Gold tied it in the top of the 8th and took the lead in the 9th inning.
The Redbirds appeared to have scored the game-tying run, but the call was overturned upon video replay, ending the game.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Fourth-year junior Colin Wyman recorded a bases-loaded strikeout on 3-2 to keep the game at 6-5 after eight and a half innings.
- Fourth-year junior Kyle Soberano continued his stellar play at second base, recording five assists. Soberano finishes the season with just one error at second base.
- Each team recorded just one hit from innings 2-5.
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