![The Redbirds fell to 9-24 with their loss Sunday (Photo Courtesy goredbirds.com)](https://www.wjbc.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/389/2016/04/JeanRamirez630.jpg)
By ISU Sports Information
TERRE HAUTE- The Illinois State baseball team gave up the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning and dropped the rubber game in its three-game series at Indiana State, 3-2, Sunday at Bob Warn Field.
Indiana State (23-13, 4-2 MVC) put a runner at third base with one out in the bottom of the eighth with a triple from Andy DeJesus. Illinois State (9-25, 1-4) intentionally walked the next two batters to load the bases and set up a force out at every base. Kaden Moore followed with a liner up the middle to score what proved to be the game-winning run.
The Redbirds manufactured a run in the third inning after Derek Parola led off with a double. Jared Hendren bunted Parola over to third and Daniel Dwyer brought in the game’s first run with a groundout to second base.
In the bottom of the third, Indiana State answered right back with a two-run homer from Andy Young, giving the Sycamores the 2-1 lead.
Both starters settled in after the third inning. Jacob Hendren retired seven-straight batters and Indiana State starter Tyler Ward sat down 12-straight Redbird hitters. Neither team scored in the fourth through sixth innings.
Trailing 2-1 in the seventh inning, Jean Ramirez brought Illinois State even with the Sycamores with a solo homer to left field. Ramirez’s home run broke up Ward’s streak of consecutive batters retired.
Hendren left the game after seven strong innings. Mitch Vogrin came in to replace Hendren to start the eighth. Vogrin retired the first batter of the inning but proceeded to give up a triple to DeJesus. Vogrin intentionally walked the next two batters before being pulled for Jack Landwehr. Landwehr gave up Moore’s run-scoring single, giving Indiana State the 3-2 lead. The Redbirds turned a 3-2-3 double play to get out of the inning trailing by just one run.
In the ninth, Indiana State’s closer Jeremy McKinney induced three-straight pop outs and earned the save for the Sycamores.
Hendren went seven innings, while giving up just two earned runs on six hits. Vogrin took the loss for the Redbirds.
Ramirez went 1-for-3 with a home run and Parola was 1-for-3 with a double.
The Redbirds will look to rebound with a Tuesday matchup at SIUE. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.