LOUISVILLE – A stellar complete-game effort on the mound by starter Matt Walker and a two-out, pinch hit two-run double off the bat of Jeremy Gaines resulted in a thrilling 4-2 victory for Illinois State (36-24) over No. 7 national seed Louisville (44-16) Saturday afternoon in the NCAA Regional at Jim Patterson Stadium.
Pitching Breakdown:
• Matt Walker (Starter, W 5-8): 9.0 IP, 6 Hits, 2 Runs, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
Top Hitters:
• Joe Aeilts: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI 1 Run, 1 BB
• Jeremy Gaines: 1-for-1, 2B, 2 RBI
Scoring Breakdown:
• After three scoreless innings for both teams to start the game, the Redbirds finally broke out in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 1-0 lead on a RBI double by Joe Aeilts that scored Jordan Libman from first base.