Late Eighth-Inning Surge Sends Illinois State Past Belmont in Series Finale

NORMAL, Ill. -- Belmont Baseball battled back to within one run Sunday afternoon and down one run into the eighth inning, but a pivotal bottom half of the eighth allowed Illinois State University to pull away for a 9-3 victory over the Bruins at Duffy Bass Field.

Belmont stayed within striking distance throughout much of the afternoon, trimming a three-run deficit to one in the seventh before Illinois State answered with five runs in the eighth to seal the series sweep.

The Redbirds opened scoring in the second inning after Luke Stulga tripled to right-center and scored on a sacrifice fly from Ryan Bakes for an early 1-0 advantage.

Illinois State added another run in the third when Eric Machej drew a leadoff walk, moved into scoring position, and later crossed on an RBI single from Brayden Bakes to make it 2-0.

Belmont answered in the fourth behind Brady Holbrook, who delivered a solo home run to right field to cut the deficit to 2-1. The homer marked Belmont's first hit since the opening inning and kept the Bruins within reach.

Freshman starter Ridge Harvey worked four innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out three and limiting Illinois State's offense early. Harvey consistently worked out of traffic, including stranding a runner at third in the fourth.

Illinois State created separation in the sixth when Brayden Bakes opened the inning with a solo homer before Luke Stulga doubled and later scored on an RBI single from Ryan Bakes, extending the lead to 4-1.

Belmont answered immediately in the seventh.

After Brady Holbrook singled and Nate Webb reached on an Illinois State error, JD Whitworth lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to score Holbrook. Moments later, Gardner Lawrence delivered an RBI single to right, bringing Webb home and cutting the margin to 4-3.

Belmont carried that momentum into the eighth and nearly changed the game.

The turning point came in the top of the eighth when Belmont loaded the bases with one out. Walks by Landon Godsey, Cavan McMeans, and Mike Sprockett to put the tying run 90 feet away, but Illinois State reliever Reece Clapp induced a flyout and a controversial checked swing strikeout to strand all three runners and preserve the one-run lead.

Illinois State immediately capitalized in the bottom half.

Ryan Bakes opened the inning with a double and scored on a Payton McHarg single. After a wild pitch and RBI single from Nolan Barry made it 6-3, Camden Karczewski added an RBI double before Graham Mastros delivered a two-run double to left-center, stretching the lead to 9-3 and putting the game out of reach.

Holbrook led Belmont offensively with two hits, two runs scored, and a home run, while Godsey added a hit and two walks. Lawrence and Whitworth each drove in a run during Belmont's seventh-inning push.

Belmont used seven pitchers in the finale, with Harvey setting the tone early before the bullpen carried the game into the late innings.

Up Next

Belmont will return to E.S. Rose Park for the second and final game of the season against Lipscomb. First Pitch is set for 4:00 PM as the Bruins look for redemption from their first meeting.


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