Sophomore Ryan Cermak blasted his 15th home run of 2022 as the Illinois State baseball team was topped by SIUE on Tuesday at Roy E. Field with a 14-7 final score.

Cermak became the first Redbird since Ryan Duncheon (23) in 1999 to hit 15 home runs in a season. Current St. Louis Cardinal Paul DeJong hit 14 in 2015 as Cermak is now tied for 7th on ISU's single-season records list.

Freshman Jonathan Sabotnik had three hits and three RBIs, including a two-run home run for the Redbirds (15-20). Senior Nick Gile homered for 7th time in 2022.

The Cougars get over .500 at 19-18 as they've now scored 13-plus runs in five-straight games. Bloomington native Spencer Smith closed out the win for SIU-E with allowing a run, walking three and struck out two. 

ISU was 0-for-7 with RISP while SIUE was 5-for-7 in the same situations.

Illinois State is scheduled to host Indiana on Wednesday with a 5:00 p.m. CT start at Duffy Bass Field.