Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Illinois State University Athletics

baseball team at Western Carolina McCaw Huggins Cermak
Mark Haskett
14
Winner Illinois State ILS 3-2
8
Western Carolina WCU 4-3
Winner
Illinois State ILS
3-2
14
Final
8
Western Carolina WCU
4-3
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Illinois State ILS 0 0 0 3 0 0 6 2 3 14 14 0
Western Carolina WCU 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 1 3 8 11 1

W: Sinisko, Sean (1-1) L: Eric Wallington (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Redbird Bats Explode for 14 Runs in Series-Clinching Win at Western Carolina

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Illinois State baseball team more than doubled their run-scoring output for the 2022 campaign as the 'Birds won, 14-8, to clinch the series at Western Carolina on Saturday in a four and a half hour game at Hennon Stadium.

The final three innings of the contest took two hours and two minutes to complete as the Redbirds outscored the Catamounts 11-7 over the final three frames. ISU had just 11 runs scored on the season entering the game.

Illinois State (3-2) was led by fifth-year junior Jake McCaw, who smashed his second home run of the season, adding three RBIs and four runs scored. Fifth-year senior Nick Gile also homered with two RBIs and two runs scored.

First-year freshman JP Gauthier impressed in his debut, posting two hits, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Second-year freshman Tyler Woltman recorded two hits and three RBIs.

-year sophomore Sean Sinisko limited Western Carolina (4-3) to just one run over six innings of work.

HOW IT HAPPENED  

Sinisko staved off early WCU threats, stranding three runners in scoring position over the first two innings.

Illinois State loaded the bases in the 3rd inning but could not cash in.

The 'Birds scored three in the 5th inning, highlighted by a double from Gauthier. Woltman and sixth-year senior Kyle Soberano each recorded RBI singles in the inning.

WCU cut the lead to 3-1 after five innings.

In the 7th inning, McCaw blasted a three-run shot before Gile smacked a two-run home run as the Redbirds led, 9-1.

WCU responded with three runs of their own in the 7th inning but Gauthier and Woltman each recorded RBIs to push the lead to 11-4. 

A Woltman RBI double highlighted the Redbirds' three-run 9th inning. The Catamounts scored three in the 9th inning to make it interesting before third-year sophomore Ryan Cermak closed the game with a strikeout in his first career pitching appearance.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 

  • The whole Redbird lineup had at least one hit for the first time since 4/11/2021 (vs Indiana State).
  • Gauthier and Woltman each record their first career RBIs.
  • The teams combined for 20 walks, tied for the third-most in the Redbird history since 2000.
  • Western Carolina used 10 pitchers, the most by a Redbird opponent since at least 2000. The team's combined for 16 pitchers used tied for the most combined pitchers used in a nine-inning game since at least 2000.

UP NEXT  

Illinois State is scheduled to close the series at Western Carolina on Sunday at 12:00 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. 

Print Friendly Version