NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Fifth-year senior Derek Salata struck out 11 in six innings in the Illinois State baseball team's 2-0 loss to Belmont in Friday's Missouri Valley Conference opener at E.S. Rose Park.
Salata gave up an unearned run in the 5th inning after a leadoff two-base error came around to score as both Redbird runs allowed were unearned.
The Redbirds (6-10 overall, 0-1 MVC) managed two hits against the Belmont (13-11 overall, 1-0 MVC) starting pitcher, who threw a complete game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bruins took the lead in the 5th inning after a leadoff two-base error came around to score before adding another unearned run in the 8th inning.
ISU had four baserunners, never having multiple baserunners in the same inning.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Salata is the sixth Redbird since 2000 with three-plus outings of 10-plus strikeouts in a single season (2019 - Brent Headrick, 9th Round to MIN; 2014 - Jeremy Rhoades, 4th Round to LAA; 2011 - Corey Maines, 23rd Round to NYY; 2001 - Neal Cotts, 2nd Round to OAK; 2000 - Brian Forystek, 4th Round to BAL)
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Three Redbirds made their first starts of the season at a unique position: second-year sophomore Noah Rabin at RF, fourth-year junior Shaydon Kubo at 3B, and third-year junior Auggie Rasmussen at CF)
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Two hits is the fewest by the Redbirds since ISU had two at 16th-ranked Oklahoma on 2/21/2020.
UP NEXT
Illinois State is scheduled to play Belmont Saturday (2:00 p.m. CT) and Sunday (1:00 p.m. CT)
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