The Illinois State baseball team came up one run short in a midweek nonconference game at Notre Dame, falling to the Fighting Irish by a 7-6 count at Frank Eck Stadium Wednesday afternoon.

Trailing by four runs after three innings, the Redbirds scratched out a run in the fifth and two in the sixth to get within a run of the hosts' lead. But Illinois State (10-25) was unable to score again over the final three innings.

 

The loss spoiled strong performances at the plate from John Rave (3-for-5), Zach Barnhart (2-for-4) and Owen Miller (2-for-5), and solid outings from a quintet of Redbird relievers, which held the Fighting Irish scoreless over the final five-plus innings.

 

Matt Walker, Michael Sebby, Jack Spicer, Nick Alvarado and Jack Bellinger kept Notre Dame (17-20) off the scoreboard over the final 5.1 innings.

 

The Redbirds return to action this weekend with a three-game series at Missouri Valley Conference foe Bradley, beginning Friday.