April 3, 2021

Official Illinois State News Release

NORMAL, Ill. – Third-year sophomore Hayden Jones blasted a pair of home runs on at Itchy Jones Stadium, leading the Illinois State Redbirds in a 6-3 win and 8-4 loss against Southern Illinois.

Jones was 5-for-8 on the day, adding five RBIs to his two home runs for Illinois State (10-15 overall, 2-1 Missouri Valley Conference).

Fifth-year senior Jordan Libman was 4-for-8 with two RBIs and a run scored while second-year freshman Jordan Lussier (Winnipeg, Man.) was credited with the win in the opening game, throwing five innings, allowing three runs and fanning seven. Lussier upped his record to 3-1 in his 96-pitch outing.

Ben Chapman threw the first four innings for Southern Illinois (20-5 overall, 4-3 MVC) in Game 1. Chapman caught the final three innings before starting behind the plate in the nightcap. He reached base three times.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1

SIU scored the game’s first two runs but the ‘Birds tied it up in the 2nd inning with a Jones single and a 13-pitch bases-loaded walk drawn by fourth-year junior Kyle Soberano.

Jones added another RBI single before smashing a two-run home run to put ISU up, 5-2.

Former Edmonton Prospect Aiden Huggins (Edmonton, Alta.) hit a solo homer.

The Salukis got one back in the 5th but fifth-year junior, lead-off man Aidan Huggins (Edmonton, Alta.) homered with one out in the sixth to put the Redbirds ahead 6-3 after six innings. It was Huggins’ first home run since May 17, 2019.

Third-year sophomore Derek Salata recorded a two-inning save.

Tristan Peters (Winkler, Man.) doubled for Southern Ilinois.

Game 2

The Salukis scored in the first inning before a third inning two-run hit by Libman put the Redbirds up, 2-1.

SIU responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning prior to a home run by Jones in the 4th.

A Redbird error in the 6th inning ultimately resulted in two Saluki runs, pushing the SIU lead to 7-4.

Peters was 3-for-3 with an run knocked in and two steals for the Salukis.

SIU added one more run before the game was completed.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Game 1

Salata recorded his fourth save of 2021 and now has seven-straight scoreless appearances.

Jones recorded a career-high four RBI (and tied a career-high with three hits).

Game 2

Libman now has hits in 22 of 25 games in 2021. He had scored in 10-straight games but did not cross the plate in game two.

First-year freshman Luke Cheng came in as a defensive replacement at first base and has played all four infield spots to start his career.

Fourth-year sophomore Garrett Witcher recorded 1 1/3 scoreless frames.