EVANSTON, Ill. – Illinois State baseball dropped a walk-off decision to Northwestern, 7-6, on Tuesday at Rocky and Berenice Miller Park in the second meeting between the two programs in 2024.
Junior Carter Monke got the start, throwing 5.0 innings with four strikeouts and two runs earned for the Redbirds (20-18 overall)
Northwestern improves to 13-23 overall.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Sophomore Shai Robinson got the scoring started with a lead-off home run in the 2nd inning for his third home run this season.
The Wildcats responded with four runs in the bottom of the 2nd to regain the early momentum, leading 4-1.
Junior Daniel Contreras would drive in the second run of the afternoon for ILS in the 4th with an RBI single to left field, making it 4-2.
The Redbirds scored three times in the 5th inning thanks to a two-RBI single from junior Noah Rabin and an RBI ground out from senior Shaydon Kubo to take a 5-4 lead.
Northwestern would hit a two-run home run in the 6th to retake the lead, 6-5.
Kubo played hero once more in the top of the 9th for the 'Birds as the senior drove in the tying run with an RBI single, knotting the score at 6-6.
The Wildcats walked it off in the 10th with a sac fly to right field to plate the winning run and secure the season sweep over the Redbirds.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Sophomore Luke Lawrence has reached base in 24 straight games
- Illinois State moves to 0-3 in extra inning games in 2024
- Senior Erik Kubiatowicz provided 2.0 innings of relief with four strikeouts
UP NEXTÂ Â
Illinois State remains on the road for a three-game series in MVC play at Murray State from April 26-28.
For the latest updates on Illinois State Baseball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdBaseball) and Instagram (isuredbirdbaseball), and like the team on Facebook (Illinois State Baseball).Â
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