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Illinois State University Athletics

Jake McCaw home run at Western Carolina 2022
Mark Haskett
5
Winner Illinois State ILS 2-2
2
Western Carolina WCU 4-2
Winner
Illinois State ILS
2-2
5
Final
2
Western Carolina WCU
4-2
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Illinois State ILS 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 5 10 0
Western Carolina WCU 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 6 3

W: Lussier, Jordan (1-0) L: Zebby Matthews (0-1) S: Kubiatowicz, Erik (2)

Game Recap: Baseball |

McCaw, Huggins Homer in Redbirds' 5-2 Win at Western Carolina

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Fifth-year junior Jake McCaw and sixth-year senior Aidan Huggins each hit home runs in Friday's 5-2 win for the Illinois State baseball team against Western Carolina at Hennon Stadium.

McCaw had three RBIs while Huggins had three hits to lead the Redbirds' (2-2) offensive attack. Third-year sophomore Jordan Lussier returned to the Illinois State rotation after exiting his first start following being struck by a 103 MPH line drive. Lussier went five innings and allowed one run en route to recording the win.

Western Carolina (4-2) entered the contest as the nation's leader in runs scored against Division I opponents.

HOW IT HAPPENED  

Huggins smacked a solo home run down the left field line to start the scoring in the 1st inning.

WCU tied the game in the 3rd inning, but McCaw blasted a two-run home run over the center field wall to put the 'Birds up, 3-1, in the 4th inning.

The Catamounts got one back in the 7th, but the Redbirds responded again with McCaw recording a sac fly and second-year freshman Jonathan Sabotnik recording an RBI single.

Fourth-year junior Kolton Scherbenske and third-year sophomore Erik Kubiatowicz posted scoreless 8th and 9th innings, respectively to secure the victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 

  • Illinois State has allowed five runs or less in each of its first four games for the first time since 1988.
  • Illinois State's 13 runs allowed in the first four games are tied for the fewest in program history since the 2003 team allowed 10 in its first four games.
  • Fifth-year junior Jared Hart threw two innings in relief, striking out four while allowing one run. Hart has now fanned 10 batters in 2022 with at least three in each of his three outings.
  • Third-year sophomore Ryan Cermak recorded two hits, including a double, marking his second-straight game with multiple hits and an extra-base hits.

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. 

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