The Illinois State baseball team dropped the series finale on a walk-off single at Missouri Valley Conference-leading Evansville, 4-3, at Charles H. Braun Stadium on Sunday.
Sophomore Ryan Cermak hit his 17th home run of the season for the Redbirds (18-25 overall, 5-10 MVC).
The Purple Aces rallied for a pair of runs to walk it off in the 9th inning. Evansville won two games in the series via walk-off
Evansville scored once in the 2nd and 4th innings to lead 2-0 through five innings.
In the 6th inning, Cermak blasted a two-shot inside the left field foul pole to tie the game.
Sophomore Justin Schubert recorded a key bases-loaded strikeout in the 6th inning to keep the game tied before the 'Birds took the lead on a safety squeeze bunt from sophomore Greg Nichols in the 8th inning.
Evansville (27-18 overall, 12-3 MVC) outhit the 'Birds, 10-6. Illinois State is scheduled to host St. Thomas in a Wednesday doubleheader at Duffy Bass Field starting at 1:00 p.m. CT. Both games are seven innings.
