NORMAL, Ill. -- Indiana State baseball dropped its series opener to Illinois State, 4-3, in walk-off fashion Friday night at Duffy Bass Field. The Redbirds recorded two singles in the ninth before pinch runner Jeremy Gaines took third on a wild pitch and scored the game-winning run on the same play on a throwing error.
 
The Redbirds (28-28, 10-3 MVC) struck for 17 total hits in the game while Indiana State was held to just five. Illinois State stranded 11 baserunners, including the bases loaded in the first and third innings as ISU pitching worked out of several jams throughout the game.
 
It wasn't until the third inning that Indiana State (32-11, 9-4 MVC) was able to get a baserunner after Joe Boyle worked a one-out walk. Redbird starting pitcher Brent Headrick was able to get a pair of strikeouts to end the Sycamore threat.
 
The Redbirds used four hits and a free pass in the bottom of the third inning to get on the scoreboard. Jordan Libman worked a walk with one out to kick off the Illinois State rally before Joe Aeilts and Joe Butler went on to pick up consecutive singles to load the bases before Gunner Peterson put the Redbirds ahead with a two-run single though the right side. The Sycamores were able to get a strikeout and a ground ball to end the inning and leave the bases loaded.
 
Indiana State recorded its first hit of the night in the fifth when Dane Tofteland led off the inning with a single that bounced off the third base bag and into left field. Roby Enriquez followed with a single to left field to put Tofteland in scoring position. Boyle went on to load the bases after picking up his second walk of the night.
 
Junior Max Wright hammered a ball through the right side of the infield to score Tofteland and Enriquez and tie the game. The Sycamores would go on to take the lead on a sacrifice fly from Clay Dungan to deep center, but a baserunning blunder ended the inning prematurely as Wright was doubled up at first on the sacrifice fly after Boyle crossed the plate.
 
The Redbirds answered in the bottom of the fifth with a one-out triple from Butler, just before Peterson drove him in with a double to right.
 
Tyler Grauer entered from the bullpen in the seventh with a runner on and got out of the jam with a pair of swinging strikeouts. Through seven innings, Illinois State led in hits 14-4, but left 11 runners on base.
 
Triston Polley picked up the no decision for the Sycamores after going six complete and allowing three runs. The lefty gave up a season high 12 base hits in the outing but was able to get out of several innings with Redbirds on the bases. Polley struck out five and walked one.
Tyler Grauer was tagged with the loss after allowing an unearned run in the ninth, falling to 2-3 on the season. The southpaw allowed four hits in two innings on the mound.
 
Headrick went nine complete for the Redbirds and allowed just five base hits and three runs while striking out nine Sycamores. He moved to 6-3 on the year after the victory.
 
Butler led Illinois State with a 4-for-5 day at the plate. Peterson drove in three of the teams runs while recording three base hits.
 
Up Next
The Sycamores will look to even the series Saturday. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. ET from Duffy Bass Field.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Baseball team, be sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.