Evansville holds off Illinois State 3-2

[May 11, 2013]  NORMAL -- Chris Razo worked eight innings of three-run ball, but Illinois State (31-18, 11-5 MVC) trailed all evening, falling 3-2 to Evansville (21-29, 10-8 MVC) on Friday at Duffy Bass Field. The Redbirds have now dropped two straight contests following a program-record 12-game winning streak.

Razo (6-1) was handed the loss despite keeping the Redbirds in the game. He completed eight innings, allowing three earned runs, with three strikeouts, five walks and six hits scattered. The loss is the first he has suffered this season. Evansville starter Josh Biggs (1-2) allowed two runs in six innings, with nine strikeouts and four walks. Closer Jake Naumann (8) secured his eighth save with a scoreless ninth inning.

Evansville scored first on a sacrifice fly in the second inning. In the top of the third, a two-out rally plated two more Purple Aces, giving the Redbirds a 3-0 hole after three innings.

Eric Aguilera's RBI-single in the fifth inning plated Chad Hinshaw and put ISU on the board. With the bases loaded, catcher Mike Hollenbeck added a sacrifice fly, closing the deficit to 3-2. It would be as close as the Redbirds would get.

Razo worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning and worked perfect seventh and eighth frames. Jeremy Rhoades pitched a scoreless ninth inning for ISU.

In the bottom of the ninth, Illinois State put the tying run on first base with no outs, but Naumann was able to work out of trouble to secure the win for Evansville.

The Redbirds return to the field for game two of the three-game series against Evansville on Saturday. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.

[Text from news release received from Illinois State University]