By ISU Sports Information
ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State baseball team allowed the game-winning run to score on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 14th inning as host Saint Louis secured a 5-4 win Wednesday afternoon at Billiken Sports Center.
Illinois State reliever Mitch Vogrin walked the leadoff hitter to start the 14th inning. Later in the inning, with runners on second and third, the Redbirds intentionally walked the bases loaded with one out. Vogrin got the next Billiken hitter to fly out to left field. Needing just one out to get out of the jam, Vogrin threw a wild pitch that bounced 10 feet behind home plate allowing the winning run to score.
Jeff Lindgren made his second start for the Redbirds Wednesday. In the first inning, Lindgren gave up a two-run home run to left field, giving Saint Louis the early lead. In the second inning, the Redbirds answered with two solo homers. Jean Ramirez cut the lead in half with his third home run this season and Brian Rodemoyer tied the game with his long ball to left field.
In the third inning, a single from Ryan Hutchinson and a double from Joe Kelch put two Redbirds in scoring position. Hutchinson scored on a wild pitch and Owen Miller drove in Kelch to give Illinois State a 4-2 lead.
The Billikens’ Josh Bunselmeyer homered to left to lead off the bottom of the third, cutting the Redbirds’ lead to 4-3. Then in the fifth, Saint Louis’ Alex King singled to start the inning. King later scored on a Michael Bozarth single up the middle to tie the game at 4-4. Both teams went scoreless over the next eight-and-a-half innings.
Jack Czeszewski came on in relief for Illinois State to start the ninth inning. The Billikens singled, walked and reached on an error with no outs off of Czeszewski. Illinois State went to Rhett Rapshus to try and work out of the jam. Rapshus struck out the first batter, induced an infield pop-up on the second batter and got out of the inning on a ground out to short.
The Redbirds had a runners in scoring position in the 10th and 12th innings, but could not push a run across. In the 14th inning, Saint Louis capitalized on a leadoff walk and later scored the winning run on a wild pitch to win the game.
Vogrin took the loss for the Redbirds, while Luke Sommerfeld earned the win for the Billikens.
In three innings, Lindgren gave up three runs on six hits while striking out one and walking two. Rapshus pitched four innings, struck out three batters and walked none.
Offensively, Kelch led the Redbirds with three hits.
The Redbirds will host their home opener at Duffy Bass Field Friday as Milwaukee comes to Normal for a three-game series. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m. Friday.
