NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball team topped Eastern Illinois, 4-3, in a 7-inning, rain-shortened contest at Monier Field. The game was the Redbirds' final tune-up before traveling to Southern Illinois Friday-Sunday to begin Missouri Valley Conference play.
The Panthers (13-11 overall) threatened in the 7th and final inning by reducing their deficit to one run with the bases load, but the 'Birds escaped on a ground ball induced by third-year sophomore Derek Salata.
Fourth-year junior Jack Anderson threw five innings, giving up just two hits and one earned run to get the win for Illinois State (8-14 overall).