MURRAY, Ky. – The Illinois State baseball program suffered a 6-3 defeat to No. 5 seed Evansville on Thursday afternoon at Johnny Reagan Field at Taylor Family Park.
The Redbirds struck first, scoring the opening run of the contest as Junior Michael Carrano Jr. doubled to left center to score Junior Graham Mastros to give Illinois State a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Evansville looked to respond a frame later after a leadoff double placed a runner into scoring position in the opening moments of the second inning. Despite the pressure mounted by the Purple Aces, Junior Michael Addari answered by striking out the side to maintain Illinois State's 1-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the third, Evansville battled back with a one-out triple and later scored on a wild pitch to even the score at 1-1. With a walk and a single, the Purple Aces placed two runners on to set up an RBI double to claim a 2-1 lead.
Trailing entering the fourth, the Redbirds answered as Carrano Jr. tallied his second double of the contest to set up an RBI single from Senior Josh Outlaw to tie the score at 2-2.
In the top of the fifth, Illinois State loaded the bases following back-to-back base hits from Sophomores Eric Machej and Louis Bussard and an intentional walk by Redshirt Sophomore Brayden Bakes. With the bases loaded, Mastros delivered a sacrifice fly to score Machej as the Redbirds reclaimed the lead at 3-2.
Trailing in the home half of the fifth, Evansville threatened after a stolen base and a throwing error moved the tying run to third, Addari answered by stranding the runner and maintaining Illinois State's 3-2 advantage.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Purple Aces capitalized on a leadoff walk with an RBI double down the right field line to even the score at 3-3. Moments later, with an RBI single to reclaim the lead at 4-3.
Evansville extended its lead with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the eighth to push the score to 5-3. The Purple Aces later added another run with an RBI single to grow their advantage to 6-3.
Trailing late, Illinois State looked to rally late, but Evansville was able to hold on and secured the Tuesday afternoon victory.
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