NORMAL, Ill. - Freshman Thomas Harper and fourth-year Cameron Mabee recorded 26 outs before allowing a run in Illinois State's 6-1 win over Western Illinois to open the Redbirds' home slate.
Harper recorded his first career win after throwing 5.2 innings with six strikeouts while Mabee tallied his first save of the season after throwing 3.1 innings and allowing one run.
The Redbirds (6-8 overall), despite scoring six runs, had just one run-scoring hit as fourth-year junior Greg Nichols doubled home a run in the 8th inning.
Western Illinois drops to 3-13.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The 'Birds recorded a pair of bases-loaded walks in the 2nd inning before second-year sophomore Noah Rabin drove in a 3rd-inning run.
Rabin drew a bases-loaded walk in the 5th inning and another run came in to put ISU up, 5-0.
Nichols double in a run in the 8th inning and the Leathernecks scored their lone run with two outs in the 9th inning.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Nichols made his first start at second base of the season.
UP NEXT
Illinois State is scheduled to play Eastern Illinois in a series from March 17-19, but changes are expected due to weather over the weekend.
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