Box Score

NORMAL, Ill. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team fell to host Illinois State, 8-2, on Friday in game one of this weekend's series at Duffy Bass Field.
 
The Redbirds (9-12) shut out the Colonels (6-12) until the ninth inning, when sophomore Ben Fisher delivered a two-out, two-run double to left field, scoring sophomore Taylor Blair and sophomore Daniel McFarland.
 
Fisher finished the game 1-for-4 with two RBI. Juniors Kyle Nowlin, Luke Wurzelbacher and Mandy Alvarez were the only other Colonels to get a hit in the game.
 
Paul DeJong paced ISU offensively, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI and two runs scored.
 
Sophomore southpaw Alex Hamilton (0-3) delivered a solid start, going five innings and allowing five runs, only three of which were earned. Senior right-handers Matt Lynch and Ben Gullo and junior right-hander Eric Nerl all saw action out of the bullpen.
 
Left-hander Will Headean delivered a masterful performance on the mound for Illinois State, finishing one out shy of a complete game while surrendering only two runs on three hits.
 
EKU will look to bounce back in game two of this weekend's series tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.
 
The Colonels return to OVC play next weekend when they travel to Morehead State for a three-game series.