Illinois State Pulls Away in Middle Innings to Take Game Two of Series

NORMAL, Ill. --  Belmont Baseball stayed within striking distance through the middle innings Saturday afternoon, but a decisive sixth inning allowed Illinois State University to separate in a 10-4 decision over the Bruins at Duffy Bass Field.

Belmont moved to 8-14 on the season after collecting nine hits, led by a three-hit performance from Brady Holbrook and a two-hit, two-RBI and a HR effort from Landon Godsey, but Illinois State's offensive surge in the sixth proved to be the turning point.

The Bruins opened scoring in the second inning after Holbrook singled, stole second, and came home on a passed ball following a single from Nate Webb, giving Belmont an early 1-0 advantage.

Illinois State answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning with four runs on four hits. A two-run home run from Payton McHarg gave the Redbirds the lead before RBI production from Camden Karczewski and Brayden Bakes pushed the margin to 4-1.

The Redbirds added another run in the third on a sacrifice fly, while Belmont left scoring chances on the board in both the fourth and fifth innings. In the fifth, the Bruins placed runners at second and third with two outs after a single from Cavan McMeans and a wild pitch, but Illinois State escaped the threat to maintain its 5-1 lead.

Belmont starter McKale Stevenson worked 4.2 innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits while striking out two. Stevenson kept the Bruins within reach into the fifth before turning the game over to the bullpen.

The game shifted decisively in the sixth inning.

Trailing 5-1, Belmont retired the first batter of the frame before Illinois State strung together five consecutive baserunners. Brayden Bakes delivered a two-run single to center, then Luke Stulga followed with a two-run double down the left side. A later RBI single from Ryan Bakes capped a five-run inning that stretched the Redbird lead to 10-1 and created the separation Belmont could not fully overcome.

Belmont responded in the seventh after a defensive error extended the inning. Charlie Davis reached base before Godsey drove a two-run home run to left-center, trimming the deficit to 10-3.

The Bruins added one more run in the eighth when Davis drew an RBI walk after Holbrook opened the inning with a single and Belmont loaded the bases.

Holbrook finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored, while Jake Maddox added two hits. Belmont stranded 12 runners in the game and left multiple scoring opportunities unconverted in key middle innings.

Illinois State was led by Brayden Bakes, who drove in three runs, while Graham Mastros and Luke Stulga each recorded multiple hits.

Up Next

The Bruins return to action tomorrow at 1:00 PM for the final game of the series against Illinois State.

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