CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Illinois State baseball team posted their first sweep since 2019 as the Redbirds defeated Western Carolina, 9-5, at Hennon Stadium on Sunday.
Eight players had hits for Illinois State (4-2), led by fifth-year junior Jake McCaw, who smacked a home run for the third straight game (first Redbird to do that since Collin Braithwaite in 2018), adding two RBIs, three runs scored, a HBP, walk, and stolen base. Third-year sophomore Ryan Cermak also homered with two RBIs and a run scored.
In his first start as a Redbird, fourth-year junior Connor Olson posted a pair of hits with an RBI and run scored.
Fourth-year junior Derek Salata recorded the win, striking out a career-high seven Western Carolina (4-4) batters. Fourth-year junior Jared Hart impressed out of the Redbird pen once again, firing two scoreless innings. Hart fanned two and now has multiple strikeouts in all four of his appearances in 2022.
HOW IT HAPPENED
McCaw blasted the first pitch of the 2nd inning over the right-center field wall to start the game's scoring.
WCU responded with a solo shot of their own in the 3rd inning but five runs in the 4th inning for the 'Birds broke the game open. Cheng, Woltman, and Soberano all recorded RBI hits before Cermak and McCaw walked with the bases loaded.
The Catamounts got three back in the 6th inning, but Illinois State matched them in 7th inning to extend the lead back out to five as Cermak homered before fifth-year senior Nick Gile RBI doubled and Olson singled home a run.
WCU added a run in the 9th but could not complete a five-run comeback.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- First series sweep (three+ games) since April 2019 at Southern Illinois.
- Fourth-year junior Justin Foy, a transfer from Western Illinois, made his first appearance as a Redbird, completing his comeback from Tommy John surgery. Foy had not pitched since 2/23/2020. Foy recorded an out on his only batter faced.
- Illinois State is 4-2 for the first time since 2019.
QUOTE FROM FOURTH-YEAR HEAD COACH STEVE HOLM ON THE SERIES
"I thought we played extremely well for three-straight days. Our pitching and defense were outstanding! You have to tip your cap to our guys. Eleven hours on the bus and playing with that much energy for three days in a row is tough."
UP NEXT
Illinois State is scheduled to travel to Arkansas State from March 4-6 for a three-game series.
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).
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