CONWAY, Ark. - Freshman Daniel Pacella hit a grand slam and a solo home run as the Illinois State baseball team dropped a 22-10 decision against Central Arkansas on Sunday at Bear Stadium.
Third-year junior Auggie Rasmussen and fourth-year junior Greg Nichols also homered for the Redbirds (5-6 overall), which led 6-0 after one inning against the Bears (5-6 overall).
HOW IT HAPPENED
The UCA starting pitcher threw just two strikes in his first 18 pitches, conceding a bases-loaded walk to fourth-year junior Shay Kubo to start the scoring.
Pacella greeted the UCA reliever with a grand slam on the first pitch he threw as the 'Birds added a sixth run on a sacrifice fly to lead 6-0 after one inning.
Broken up only by Nichols' solo home run in the 4th inning, Central Arkansas scored 17 of the game's next 18 runs, leading 17-7 through six innings.
Rasmussen hit a two-run shot to left-center in the 7th inning before Pacella snuck his second homer of the day inside the left field foul pole in the 8th inning.
UCA concluded the game's scoring with five runs on one hit in the 8th inning.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Pacella is the first Redbird freshman since Gunner Peterson (3/12/2019 at SEMO) to hit two home runs in a game and just the third since 2000 (Owen Miller - 3/12/2016 vs Central Michigan). Ryan Cermak (4/6/2022 at Western Illinois) was the last Redbird with a two home runs in game (hit three)
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Pacella is the first Redbird freshman with five RBI in a game since Owen Miller (5/1/2016 at Evansville). Ryan Cermak (4/6/2022 at Western Illinois) was the last Redbird with five RBIs in a game (had 10)
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Pacella is the first Redbird freshman with a grand slam since Mike Hollenbeck (4/2/2011 vs Chicago State). Ryan Cermak (4/6/2022 at Western Illinois) was the last Redbirds with a grand slam
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Nichols has four home runs in 2023 while Rasmussen has three
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Every Redbird in the starting lineup had either a run scored, hit, or RBI by the end of the 1st inning.
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22 is the most runs allowed by ISU since allowing 26 at Louisiana-Monroe on 2/29/2020
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Illinois State also hit four home runs at Austin Peay on 2/19/2023
UP NEXT
Illinois State is scheduled to play at Nebraska from March 10-12. The Huskers have won five of their last six games.
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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