Redbird miscues prove costly in loss to Illinois

Posted on March 23, 2016

By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL – Joe Kelch drove in two of Illinois State’s three runs to help build an early lead, but ISU proceeded to commit a season-high five errors as Illinois scored eight unanswered runs to beat the Redbirds, 8-3, in front of 778 fans Tuesday evening at Duffy Bass Field.

ISU fell to 7-13 overall, while the Fighting Illini improved to 8-10. Kelch went 1-for-4 with two RBIs and one run scored. Illinois was led by Jack Yalowitz. He went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs scored and one walk. Illinois reliever Charlie Naso (1-0) earned the win, pitching three shutout innings with two hits. Starter Mitch Weis (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing two earned runs on five hits.

After two scoreless innings, Illinois State established a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Sean Beesley led off with a single through the right side, and Daniel Dwyer followed with another single to right field. On the same play, Beesley advanced to third base on an Illinois error. He and Dwyer then scored on a two-run double down the left field line by Kelch. An Owen Miller double to center field plated Kelch.

In the top of the fourth inning, two Redbird errors opened the door for five Fighting Illini runs on singles by Doran Turchin, Yalowitz and Trent Hammond. An Adam Walton sacrifice fly capped the five-run fourth, as Illinois took a 5-3 advantage. The Fighting Illini added to their lead in the eighth inning, first with a two-out, two-run single by Mark Skonieczny. Illinois’ Ryan Hurwitz then scored from third as Adam Walton reached on an error.

The Redbirds return to action Friday, in New Orleans, Louisiana, with the first of a three-game series at Tulane.

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