FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Illinois State baseball team dropped an 11-inning affair at third-ranked Arkansas with a 10-9 final after a thrilling game at Baum-Walker Stadium.
Late home runs by second-year sophomore Blake Stenger and fourth-year junior Greg Nichols provided key runs as the Redbirds (4-4 overall) battled back from an 8-5 deficit to ultimately tie the game, before the Razorbacks (6-2 overall) won on a walk-off double to left-center field in the 11th inning.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The 'Birds jumped on the board in the 1st inning as fourth-year junior Adrian Flores singled home fourth-year junior Luke Cheng.
Arkansas scored three times in the bottom of the inning to lead but the Redbirds got one back on a Stenger single to trail, 3-2.
Third-year junior Auggie Rasmussen singled home two runs in the 4th inning to give the 'Birds a 4-3 lead before a 5th inning solo blast by freshman Daniel Pacella extended the ISU lead to 5-3.
The Razorbacks scored the game's next five runs, highlighted by back-to-back-to-back home runs in the 7th inning.
Stenger smacked a two-run home run to right field in the 8th inning to bring the 'Birds within a run at 8-7. The Razorbacks countered with a run in the bottom of the frame.
Nichols' solo shot just inside the foul pole down the left field line brought ISU within a run once again.
With one out in the 9th inning, fourth-year junior Shay Kubo drew his third walk of the day. Second-year sophomore JT Sokolove pinch ran and scored a throwing error by the Arkansas shortstop as Sokolove narrowly missing the Arkansas tag at the plate to slide in safely at the plate and tie the game at 9-9.
Illinois State got a single from Flores in the 11th inning, but nothing came of it as the Razorbacks recorded the walk-off hit in the 11th inning.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Stenger's home run was his first as a Redbird.
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Pacella's home run was his third of the season, leading the team.
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Kubo had not drawn a walk in 2023 but recorded three in Wednesday's game.
UP NEXT
Illinois State is scheduled to play at Central Arkansas on Friday at 6:00 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).
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