Wichita State's Sam Hilliard hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to propel the tournament hosts to a 4-3 win in an MVC Tournament opening-round game at Eck Stadium Wednesday night.
The Redbirds (27-26) grabbed an early lead when Mason Snyder provided a two-out single to left field in the first inning, plating Daniel Dwyer. Ryan Koziol provided the Redbirds' biggest hit of the game, a two-out, two-run single up the middle to score Dwyer and Jean Ramirez.
Trey Vickers singled and Daniel Kihle walked to chase Hendren and set up Hilliard's game-winning home run. Hilliard hit ISU reliever Jack Czeszewski's first offering over the right-field fence to give the Shockers their first lead of the game, and the Redbirds went down in order in the ninth.
Hendren allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk over 7.2 innings of work, striking out seven. Dwyer and Snyder led the Redbirds with two hits apiece.
Illinois State, the No. 5 seed in the tournament, will now play No. 8 Southern Illinois in an elimination game Thursday at 12:30 p.m.
