SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A four-run first inning and a solid starting pitching effort from Matt Walker were the key ingredients in No. 8 seed Illinois State's 7-4 win over No. 5 seed Wichita State Thursday night in a Missouri Valley Conference Tournament game at Hammons Field.
Illinois State (15-38) plated four runs in the first inning and never trailed in Thursday's contest. Walker pitched five strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits and two walks. He matched a career high with six strikeouts.