MACOMB, Ill. (Interstat) — The Illinois State Redbirds capitalized on early opportunities and broke open a tight game with a three-run sixth inning to defeat the Western Illinois Leathernecks 7-1 on Friday, securing a series-opening victory.

Facing Western Illinois starter William Humphrey, the Redbirds (11-7) struck quickly. Leadoff hitter Camden Karczewski singled and advanced to second on a fielding error by right fielder Tyler Large. Two batters later, Luke Stulga drove him in with a double to right field, giving Illinois State a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

The Redbirds added two more in the second, both aided by Leathernecks miscues. Louis Bussard singled and later scored on Michael Carrano’s RBI single to right. Carrano eventually came home on a throwing error by catcher Krayton Morse, pushing the lead to 3-0.

Western Illinois (3-14) managed its only run in the bottom of the third. Joe Connolly singled, advanced to second on a passed ball, and moved to third on a sacrifice fly by Liam Bushey. Wandel Campana then grounded out to shortstop, allowing Connolly to score and cutting the deficit to 3-1.

The game remained close until the top of the sixth, when Illinois State delivered the decisive blow against reliever JT Fabian. With one out, Karczewski singled and Brayden Bakes reached on another error by Large. Graham Mastros then laced a double to center field, scoring Karczewski. Mastros advanced to third and Bakes scored on a wild pitch. Stulga followed with a single to center, driving in Mastros to extend the Redbirds’ lead to 6-1.

Illinois State added a final run in the seventh when Karczewski grounded out to second, allowing pinch-runner Jackson Natanek to score.

The Leathernecks threatened in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with two outs after a single by Morse and a hit-by-pitch to Large, but reliever Nolan Girard struck out Bushey looking to end the inning and the threat.

Redbirds starter Michael Addari earned the win, allowing one unearned run on four hits over five innings. The Illinois State bullpen combined for four scoreless innings of relief. Humphrey took the loss for Western Illinois.

Campana was a bright spot for the Leathernecks, going 2-for-3 with the team’s lone RBI. Karczewski and Carrano each had two hits for the Redbirds, who tallied 10 hits as a team.

The most important sequence of the game was Illinois State’s three-run sixth inning. With the lead at just 3-1, the Redbirds exploited defensive mistakes and delivered key hits to break the game open. The inning transformed a tense, two-run contest into a comfortable five-run advantage, effectively sealing the victory and halting any momentum the Leathernecks had generated with their third-inning run.

The two teams continue their series on Saturday in Normal.