MURRAY, Ky. – The Illinois State baseball program fell late 1-0 to Murray State Saturday evening at Johnny Reagan Field. With the defeat, the Redbirds fall to 22-16 and 6-8 in Missouri Valley Conference play.
Despite the loss, Redshirt Sophomore Carson Cormier impressed on the mound for the Redbirds, tossing seven scoreless innings to tally his longest career outing. Cormier added a career-best 13 strikeouts and became the first Redbird since Tyrelle Chadwick to record 12 or more punchouts in a single contest.
The Redbirds threatened to score in the third after walks from Freshman Brayden Zilis and Senior Josh Outlaw placed a pair of runners on for Illinois State to open the frame. Despite the Redbirds' pressure, Murray State worked out of the jam earlier in the inning to maintain a 0-0 score.
A frame later, Illinois State looked to score as Junior Graham Mastros reached second on a Racer error to put a runner in scoring position for the Redbirds. With a runner on, Murray State battled out of the jam for the second consecutive inning to maintain the score at 0-0.
In the seventh, Illinois State continued to look for the contest's opening run as Mastros and Senior Nolan Barry walked to put a pair of runners on in the frame. With a wild pitch, both runners advance to place two runners in scoring position, but the Racers once again escaped the inning to keep the score level at 0-0.
In the eighth, Murray State loaded the bases with a trio of singles. With two out and a full count, a hit-by-pitch plated the first run to give Murray State a 1-0 advantage.
Trailing late, the Redbirds battled in the ninth as Barry singled to put the tying run on base for Illinois State. Moments later, Barry stole second to move into scoring position with two outs, but the Racers were able to secure the final out to earn the win.
NOTES
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Redshirt Sophomore Carson Cormier tallied his longest career outing with 7.0 innings pitched. Cormier limited the Racers to four hits and no runs scored in the contest.
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Cormier joins Graduate Reece Clapp as the second Redbird this season to record an outing of seven innings pitched.
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Cormier added 13 strikeouts in the outing, marking a career-best punchout total in a single game for the Westford, Mass. native. The total marks the most in a game for a Redbird since former Illinois State pitcher Tyrelle Chadwick notched 12 strikeouts against UA-Pine Bluff on March 2, 2024.
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