NORMAL, Ill. – Xavier broke a scoreless tie with seven runs in the top of the seventh inning Friday to spoil a strong start from Illinois State's Steve Heilenbach and send the Redbirds to their 10th-straight loss. Xavier won Friday's series opener, 12-1.
Heilenbach kept the Musketeers off the scoreboard for six innings Friday, limiting the visitors to four hits and one walk, while striking out a career-high nine batters. The Redbird bullpen allowed 12 runs over the final three innings. Joe Gellenbeck produced half the runs, thanks to a pair of three-run home runs.