The Illinois State baseball team posted their first sweep since 2019 as the Redbirds defeated Western Carolina, 9-5, at Hennon Stadium on Sunday.

Eight players had hits for Illinois State (4-2), led by junior Jake McCaw, who smacked a home run for the third straight game (first Redbird to do that since Collin Braithwaite in 2018), adding two RBIs, three runs scored, a HBP, walk, and a stolen base. Sophomore Ryan Cermak also homered with two RBIs and a run scored.

In his first start as a Redbird, junior Connor Olson posted a pair of hits with an RBI and run scored.

Junior Derek Salata recorded the win, striking out a career-high seven Western Carolina (4-4) batters. Junior Jared Hart impressed out of the Redbird pen once again, firing two scoreless innings. Hart fanned two and now has multiple strikeouts in all four of his appearances in 2022.

McCaw blasted the first pitch of the 2nd inning over the right-center field wall to start the game's scoring.

WCU responded with a solo shot of their own in the 3rd inning but five runs in the 4th inning for the 'Birds broke the game open. Cheng, Woltman, and Soberano all recorded RBI hits before Cermak and McCaw walked with the bases loaded. 

The Catamounts got three back in the 6th inning, but Illinois State matched them in 7th inning to extend the lead back out to five as Cermak homered before senior Nick Gile RBI doubled and Olson singled home a run.

This weekend's sweep was the first series sweep of three or more games since April 2019 at Southern Illinois.

Illinois State is 4-2 for the first time since 2019.

Illinois State is scheduled to travel to Arkansas State from March 4-6 for a three-game series.