Pitching and defense ruled the day for both teams, but Illinois State was a smidge better as Tyrelle Chadwick outdueled Valpo starter Connor Lockwood (Libertyville, Ill. / Libertyville) on a day where all of the hosts’ scoring came in the third inning. Valpo pushed across a single run in the eighth but couldn’t fully break through in a 3-1 setback on Saturday in Normal, Ill. All 16 hits in the game were singles as neither squad produced an extra-base knock.

How It Happened

• Lockwood put up zeros in each of his first two frames, inducing an inning-ending double play in the first before using a strikeout to squash a chance in the second.
• The Redbirds had four singles in the third on their way to a three-run inning that did not feature an extra-base knock, allowing the hosts to build up a 3-0 lead.
• After the three-run third, Lockwood locked in. He worked out of a jam in the fourth and eventually retired the final seven men he faced, sending down the side in order in the fifth and sixth innings. He did not allow a walk and struck out five while yielding the three runs on nine hits in six frames.
• Although Lockwood kept the Redbirds at bay outside of the third, the Valpo bats were quiet as well. The Beacons left the bases loaded in the fourth and stranded another in scoring position in the seventh.
• Valpo got on the board in the eighth as Kyle Schmack (Wanatah, Ind. / South Central) singled, stole second and scored. A hit by Ryan Maka (Oak Forest, Ill. / Oak Forest) aided the Valpo cause but a double play ball helped the Redbirds limit the damage to a single tally.
• A leadoff single in the ninth was erased on a line-drive double play and Illinois State held on for the victory.

Inside the Game

• Maka was the lone Beacon to enjoy a multi-hit game.
• Senior Brady Renfro (Antigo, Wis. / Antigo) worked two walks to go along with a base hit, reaching on three occasions.  
• Lockwood and reliever Griffin McCluskey (Normal, Ill. / Normal Community) – who was pitching in his hometown of Normal – combined to walk just one in the game. McCluskey threw two clean innings after Lockwood’s departure.
• Neither team had an extra-base hit in the game.

Up Next

Valpo (10-18, 2-6 MVC) and Illinois State will conclude the series at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The game will air on ESPN+. Links to live video and stats are available on ValpoAthletics.com.