Illinois State Walked-Off in Series Finale at Evansville, 4-3

EVANSVILLE, Ind.– The Illinois State baseball team dropped the series finale on a walk-off single at Missouri Valley Conference-leading Evansville, 4-3, at Charles H. Braun Stadium on Sunday.

Third-year sophomore Ryan Cermak hit his 17^th home run of the season for the Redbirds (18-25 overall, 5-10 MVC). 

Evansville (27-18 overall, 12-3 MVC) outhit the 'Birds, 10-6.

HOW IT HAPPENED  

Evansville scored once in the 2nd and 4^th innings to lead 2-0 through five innings.

In the 6^th inning, Cermak blasted a two-shot inside the left field foul pole to tie the game.

Fourth-year sophomore Justin Schubert recorded a key bases-loaded strikeout in the 6^th inning to keep the game tied before the 'Birds took the lead on a safety squeeze bunt from third-year sophomore Greg Nichols in the 8^th inning.

The Purple Aces rallied for a pair of runs to walk it off in the 9^th inning.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 

• Illinois State has yet to be shutout in 2022.
• The Redbirds did not have a baserunner from innings two to five.

• Evansville won two games in the series via walk-off.

UP NEXT  

Illinois State is scheduled to host St. Thomas in a Wednesday doubleheader at Duffy Bass Field starting at 1:00 p.m. CT. Both games are seven innings.

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.