Photo courtesy of Nickolas Parra
NORMAL, Ill. – Wind, rain, and seasonally low temperatures were felt at Duffy Bass Field Saturday. But the Redbirds and Bears played on, and ISU claimed victory in both games of the day.
The first game was scheduled to be a seven-inning contest. Seven innings weren’t enough to determine the victor however, so the game went into extra innings. Tied at 3-3 in the top of the eighth, ISU pitcher Colin Wyman, relieving Jordan Lussier, prevented any runs from reaching the board. This opened up an opportunity for Illinois State to score a run and end the game. They did just that.
A bunt by Tyson Hays reached Missouri State relief pitcher Trey Ziegenbein’s hands, but he committed an error by overshooting his throw to first base when trying to get Hays out. The miscue allowed ISU’s Jack McCaw to run across home plate from third, and end the game 4-3. Kyle Soberano led the ‘Birds in hits with two, while McCaw led the squad with two runs scored.
Game two, like the first, started with a 2-0 Redbird lead. The visiting Bears tacked on a run in the third, but no more runs were scored until the sixth inning. The sixth saw the only home run launched by either team on the day. It came via the bat of Jake McCaw and was sent deep to left field, putting the Redbirds up 3-1. Neither team scored afterwards, leading ISU to secure the win with that final score.
Both starting pitchers in game two played well for ISU and Missouri State. The Bears’ Hayden Minton surrendered just five hits in seven innings pitched, allowing the three runs. He was relieved by Peyton Carson in the eighth. Illinois State pitcher Sean Sinisko pitched a complete game and was impressive all throughout the day. He totaled 117 pitches through nine innings, allowing only five hits and one run.
The two teams are set to finish the four-game series tomorrow as ISU looks for the sweep. The match is set to take place at Duffy Bass Field, with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
Live coverage on 103.3 WZND begins at 12:50 p.m.