THE LEAD
Despite trailing by five runs at the seventh inning stretch, DBU rallied to put the potential tying run at third in the ninth before falling 9-8 to Missouri valley Conference-leading Illinois State on Friday night at Horner Ballpark. Four of the first five Patriots reached base in the ninth, but Jimmy Glowenke ended the game 90 feet away from scoring the tying run.

DBU (28-13, 6-4 MVC) rallied late despite striking out 17 times in the game compared to just five walks. Bryce Ball led the charge offensively with three hits and three RBIs, including a solo home run in the fourth inning, his ninth of the season.

Jordan Martinson took the loss for the Patriots, allowing five runs on five hits through 4.0 innings. The senior left-hander struck out seven batters through the first three innings but struggled with command in the fourth. Peyton Sherlin and Parker Towns held down the fort in relief, limiting Illinois State (26-16, 9-1) to two runs over in 4.2 innings to keep the Patriots within striking distance.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
 - The Patriots have lost four straight series openers. However, DBU has come back to win its last two series.
 - DBU's 17 strikeouts offensively were a season high.
 - Augie Isaacson moved into a tie for fourth place in DBU's Division I era with his 21st steal of the season. He is five away from tying Devlin Granberg's record of 26 set in 2018.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
700 - The game was Dan Heefner's 700th as head coach of the Patriots.
3.0 - Towns' 3.0 innings pitched were a season-high.
20 - The Patriots' Nos. 4-9 batters combined to go 0-for-20 Friday.

UP NEXT
DBU and Illinois State resume their series with Game Two at 2:00 pm Saturday at Horner Ballpark.