Redbirds Topped By Western Illinois

MACOMB, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball dropped the second game in a four-game set with Western Illinois by an 17-8 scoreline on Friday at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium.

Junior Shai Robinson went 2-for-4 with a two-RBI single for Illinois State (4-11 overall).

Senior Braden Roesch turned in a solid relief performance, finishing with 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K, and 1 BB.

The Leathernecks (5-9 overall) hit three home runs and got seven RBIs out of the top three in the batting order.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Redbirds scored two in the top of the 1st off an RBI single from Josh Outlaw and sac fly from Judah Morris to make it 2-0 Birds.

The Leathernecks quickly responded with three runs in the bottom of the 1st off a pair of RBI singles to take the 3-2 advantage.

WIU added to the lead in the 3rd with a solo home run to make it 4-2 after three innings.

Illinois State's Noah Smith kickstarted the 7th inning with his first home run of the season to trim the margin to 4-3.

Western Illinois' bats exploded for five runs, including a pair of home runs, in the bottom of the 7th to push the lead to 9-3.

The Redbirds would score five in the top of the 8th thanks to a two-run RBI single form Shai Robinson and three-run home run from Daniel Contreras, his first of the season.

Once more, the home team would keep the offense rolling in the 8th with eight runs to make the score its final spread of 17-8.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Daniel Pacella extended his hitting streak to a team best seven games
• Josh Outlaw made his first defensive start for the Birds in right field
• Judah Morris reached base for the 12th straight game

UP NEXT

Illinois State will host the Leathernecks in a Saturday doubleheader to conclude the four-game series. First pitch is set for 1 PM from Duffy Bass Field on Saturday.

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