CARBONDALE, Ill. (Interstat) — The Illinois State Redbirds erupted for 10 runs on 13 hits to salvage the final game of a Missouri Valley Conference series, defeating the Southern Illinois Salukis 10-4 on Sunday afternoon and evening at Abe Martin Field.

The victory snapped a two-game skid for the Redbirds (19-12, 2-4 MVC) after dropping the series opener 4-3 on Friday and falling 9-1 on Saturday. The Salukis fell to 12-18 overall and 2-4 in conference play.

The most important part of the game was Illinois State’s immediate and sustained offensive onslaught, which built an insurmountable lead by the middle innings. The Redbirds scored three times in the first inning and broke the game open with a four-run fourth and a five-run fifth.

Illinois State starter Luke Teschke was credited with the win, delivering five strong innings. He allowed two earned runs on four hits while striking out four. Teschke, the top star for Illinois State, continued a dominant stretch, having also thrown five scoreless innings in his previous start against Evansville on March 29.

The Redbirds’ offense was relentless. Catcher Ryan Bakes went 2 for 5 with a two-run homer in the fourth inning and three RBIs overall. Designated hitter Josh Outlaw drove in two runs, while left fielder Brayden Bakes and first baseman Blake Zilis each contributed an RBI.

Southern Illinois managed nine hits but struggled to capitalize with runners on base. Shortstop Henry Kufa led the Salukis, going 3 for 4 with two RBIs, including a two-run double in the fourth inning that accounted for the Salukis’ first runs. Kristian Sprawling added an RBI single in the seventh.

After Teschke exited, the Illinois State bullpen combined for four innings of relief. Carson Cormier pitched two innings, allowing one run and striking out three. Joey Wilmoth and Reece Clapp each worked an inning to close out the game.

For Southern Illinois, reliever Blake Kimball provided three scoreless innings of hitless relief, striking out two after entering in the sixth. Jace Kirby added a perfect ninth inning. Starter Meade Johnson took the loss, surrendering eight runs, only three of which were earned, over 3 2/3 innings.

The result defied the pregame projections from Interstat, whose ELO system gave Southern Illinois a 56.3% probability to win and whose simulator predicted a 7-2 Illinois State victory. The actual margin was wider, as the Redbirds’ early barrage set the tone.

Illinois State looks to build momentum when it hosts Saint Louis on Tuesday. Southern Illinois will seek to rebound at home against Southeast Missouri State, also on Tuesday.