FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Illinois State baseball team scored in the 2nd inning but fell, 4-2, against second-ranked Arkansas in the series' rubber match on Sunday at Baum-Walker Stadium in front of more than 10,400 fans.
The Redbirds (1-2) stranded six runners in the first four innings as the Razorbacks (2-1) held ISU to 0-6 with runners in scoring position and 1-for-13 with runners on base for the game.
Third-year sophomore Ryan Cermak smacked a solo home run in the 8th inning to bring the Redbirds back to within one.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the 2nd inning, fifth-year senior Nick Gile grounded home third-year sophomore Adrian Flores to put the 'Birds up, 1-0.
In his first career start, fourth-year junior Derek Salata provided three scoreless innings to start the game, but the Razorbacks tied it in the 4th inning before plating two runs in the 5th inning.
Fifth-year junior Jared Hart escaped the two-out, bases-loaded jam in the 5th inning en route to recorded six outs without allowing a run and fanning three.
Cermak got the 'Birds to within 3-2 but Arkansas added a run in the 8th inning.
First-year freshman JP Gauthier recorded his first career hit in the 9th inning, but the Redbirds were unable to cut the deficit.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The 11 runs allowed by Illinois State are the fewest scored by Arkansas since 1994 (11). It's tied for the fewest until 1985 (Arkansas scored three runs in its season-opening series). Fewest runs in a three-game stretch for Arkansas since May 22-24 of 2019. Fewest runs scored in a series against a mid-major since 2017 (eight vs Rhode Island).
- Second-year freshman Jonathan Sabotnik recorded his first collegiate hit in the 2nd inning before recording a 4th-inning double for a two-hit day.
- Hart has now pitched twice in 2022 with both outings being two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
QUOTES FROM FOURTH-YEAR HEAD COACH STEVE HOLM
On Derek Salata: "I thought Salata threw extremely well - we had a couple plays we could've made for him in the 5th. For his first start, I thought he gave us a great chance to win."
On the series: "You play a team like this - #2 team in the country. You're in all three ballgames when we haven't practiced outside. I think that's a testament to our guys, and I thought they pitched really well. I thought we played defense all series and made it extremely tough for [Arkansas] to take two out of three from us ... I thought it was competitive series the whole time - we'll take a lot from this series."
On the team's defense: "[Assistant coach Derek Parola] has done a great job. I don't think we made too many mistakes at all infield - we pitched well and I thought the defense was outstanding."
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