McLean County Times

Illinois State University's baseball team faced a challenging game against Western Illinois, resulting in an 11-1 defeat at Duffy Bass Field. The Leathernecks established an early lead by scoring six runs in the first two innings and maintained their advantage throughout the match.

The Redbirds, now with a season record of 21-22, had sophomore Luke Lawrence as their standout player. Lawrence managed to go 2-for-4, being the only player from Illinois State to achieve multiple hits during the game.

Western Illinois started strong with four runs in the first inning and added two more in the second. Illinois State responded in the bottom of the second inning when senior Greg Nichols grounded out with bases loaded, bringing in one run for his team.

In the fifth inning, Western Illinois extended their lead to 8-1 with an RBI single and concluded their scoring with three additional runs in the seventh inning. This final push put them into run-rule territory.

Sophomore Thomas Harper contributed significantly from the bullpen for Illinois State, pitching three innings and recording four strikeouts. Meanwhile, Lawrence's performance extended his on-base streak to 29 games this season.

Looking ahead, Illinois State is set to host Southern Illinois for a three-game series at Duffy Bass Field from May 3-5. Fans can follow updates on GoRedbirds.com or through various social media platforms including Twitter (@RedbirdBaseball), Instagram (isuredbirdbaseball), and Facebook (Illinois State Baseball).

For further information about tickets and other athletic events at Illinois State University, visit GoRedbirds.com or use the official Redbirds app.