Hart shines in 7-0 win, as the Redbirds take the first of three games against Valparaiso

Image courtesy of goredbirds.com

NORMAL – In his first start on the season, Redbird pitcher Jared Hart threw 6 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit on 66 pitches. Hart is mostly used as a setup man out of the bullpen, but head coach Steve Holm gave him the nod to start Friday night.

Hart’s command was never in doubt, as he gave up just that one hit that came in the sixth inning. Colin Wyman came in for relief in the 7th, pitching three scoreless innings and giving up just two hits. The Redbirds came up with some excellent defensive plays, including a diving catch in centerfield by Ryan Cermak

The Redbird bats were active to start the game, scoring three runs in the first thanks to a Greg Nichols 2-run homerun and an RBI double from Connor Olson. After having one of the most successful weeks in Redbird baseball history, Cermak did not record a hit in the win but drew two walks in his first two at-bats. The top six Redbirds in today’s lineup all reached on base safely at least once.

Jake McCaw, Nichols, and Olson combined to go 8/12 from the plate on the day, with 6 RBIs and just one strikeout from Olson. McCaw also got in on the home-run party, smashing one 436 feet over the centerfield wall to give ISU a 7-0 lead in the fifth.

The Redbirds and Beacons will be back out on the field tomorrow at 3. The projected starter for the Redbirds is Derek Salata (2-4, 46.1 IP, 4.08 ERA, ), and for the Beacons will be Jake Miller (3-1, 31.0 IP, 5.81 ERA). You can catch the game on WZND, with pregame coverage begging at 2:50.