By ISU Sports Information
EDWARDSVILLE – The Illinois State baseball team hit three home runs on its way to a 9-3 non-conference victory over Southern Illinois-Edwardsville Tuesday night at the Simmons Complex.
Illinois State (10-25) scored six runs in the third inning to take control of the game. The Redbirds hit two home runs in the inning, first a two-run home run from Blake Molitor to give ISU a 3-1 lead, and then a three-run homer from Derek Parola, the first of his career. Illinois State never trailed from the third inning on.
In the bottom of the first inning, Illinois State starter Jeffrey Barton gave up three-straight singles to load the bases with no outs. Barton allowed one run but struck out two Cougar batters to get out of the inning and limit the damage.
After Illinois State’s big third inning, the Redbirds added a run in the fifth off of a Sean Beesley RBI double that scored Jean Ramirez. Illinois State led 7-1 after five innings.
The eighth inning started with a bang. Ramirez hit a line-drive home run to left field, the third homer of the game for the Redbirds, giving Illinois State an 8-1 lead. Then Daniel Dwyer worked his third walk of the day with two outs. Owen Miller doubled into the left-center field gap, scoring Dwyer and increasing Illinois State’s lead to 9-1.
The Cougars scored two runs off Mitch Vogrin in the eighth inning on three hits, but that would be all SIUE would score for the rest of the game.
Parola led the way offensively with three runs driven in. Miller went 4-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI.
Barton worked four innings and struck out a career-high eight batters. The Redbird bullpen was busy, as five relievers came out of the bullpen to throw one inning apiece. As a staff, the Redbirds struck out a season-high 16 batters in the win.
The Redbirds will play in the 10th annual Bass-Horenberger Classic against Illinois Wesleyan Wednesday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Wesleyan’s Jack Horenberger Field.
