 The loss snapped an ISU (31-17, 11-4 MVC) program-best 12-game
winning streak, as the Bluejays (25-13, 9-6) salvaged one game from
the three-game Missouri Valley Conference series.Following the
game, a team head-shaving event took place in conjunction with
Redbirds Vs. Cancer Day. The Redbirds raised a total of $12,311 to
help find a cure for childhood cancers.
Jeremy Rhoades (1-1) was saddled with the loss after pitching a
season-high 4 1-3 innings of relief, with two earned runs allowed.
Jake Peter (2-0) earned the victory for Creighton with two earned
runs given up through two innings of work.
Creighton wasted no time, scoring with no outs in the first
inning. Brad McKewon led off with a triple to left-center field and
scored when the next batter, Federico Castagnini, singled to shallow
right, giving the Bluejays an early 1-0 advantage. Illinois State
responded in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Chad Hinshaw led
off with a single before scoring from third on a base hit through
the right side by Kyle Stanton, tying the game at 1-1.
A Michael Blatchford single to left field in the sixth inning
scored Alex Staehely, who led off with a double, to regain a one-run
Bluejay advantage. However, that lead was short-lived, as Mike
Hollenbeck responded with a solo home run over the left-field fence,
just under the scoreboard, to tie the game again at 2-2. It marked
the first home run this season for Hollenbeck. Creighton regained a
two-run advantage with a run in the eighth and the ninth innings.
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Trailing 4-2 in the ninth, Paul DeJong singled to get on
base, and Stewart homered to right field to tie the game,
forcing the game into extra innings. After a scoreless 10th
frame, Creighton plated five runs in the 11th inning to put the
game out of reach. Peter singled to drive in a run, Brennan
Murphy walked with the bases loaded to force another home, and
Tommy Cloutheir drove in three with a double to increase the
Bluejays’ lead to 9-4.
Reliever Mark Lukowski recorded the final three outs in the
bottom of the 11th, as he retired Illinois State in order to secure
the game-three victory.
The Redbirds still won the series 2-1.
Illinois State now has just six regular-season games remaining
ahead of the Valley tournament. The Redbirds will play their final
regular-season homestand with a three-game set against Evansville
beginning Friday at 6 p.m.
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ISU-Creighton stats
ISU season stats
[Text from
news release received from
Illinois State University] |
