EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Third-year sophomore Ryan Cermak blasted his 15th home run of 2022 as the Illinois State baseball team was topped by SIUE on Tuesday at Roy E. Field with a 14-7 final score.
Cermak became the first Redbird since Ryan Duncheon (23) in 1999 to hit 15 home runs in a season. Current St. Louis Cardinal Paul DeJong hit 14 in 2015 as Cermak is now tied for 7th on ISU's single-season records list.
Second-year freshman Jonathan Sabotnik had three hits and three RBIs, including a two-run home run for the Redbirds (15-20). Fifth-year senior Nick Gile homered for 7th time in 2022.
The Cougars get over .500 at 19-18 as they've now scored 13-plus runs in five-straight games.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SIUE scored in four-straight innings, plating 14 runs from the 3rd-to-6th inning.
After Illinois State left the bases loaded in the 4th inning, Cermak hit a two-run home run in the 5th inning and Sabotnik hit a two-run shot in the 6th inning.
The 'Birds cut the deficit to 14-6 in the 7th after Sabotnik was plunked with the bases loaded and second-year sophomore Luke Cheng hit a sacrifice fly.
Gile hit a solo home run to lead off the 9th inning.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Gile made his first start at designated hitter while Gauthier made his second start of the season at third base.
- ISU was 0-for-7 with RISP while SIUE was 5-for-7 in the same situations.
- 14 runs allowed are a season-high for ISU
UP NEXT
Illinois State is scheduled to host Indiana on Wednesday with a 5:00 p.m. CT start at Duffy Bass Field.
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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