NORMAL, Ill. - The catchphrase "Let's play two!" has always been a popular one in the sport of baseball.

On Sunday, the Milwaukee baseball team took that phrase to a whole new level, literally playing two games in one in defeating Illinois State by a score of 4-1 in 18 innings at Duffy Bass Field.
 
The Panthers (7-11) completed the weekend sweep of the Redbirds (7-12) with the thrilling victory, setting a new program record for the longest game ever played both in terms of the 18 innings and in terms of time played, finishing in 4 hours and 54 minutes.
 
 "That was one crazy game," Milwaukee head coach Scott Doffek said. "Our pitching and defense was just outstanding today. And you have to give their arms a ton of credit as well. Just a very hard-fought win out there today in a wild one."
 
The game was literally scoreless until the top of the 17th inning, when Cole Heili blasted his third home run of the weekend. His shot to right center gave UWM a 1-0 lead and looked to be the difference.
 
But, the Redbirds responded, with Heili playing the hero again – this time in the field. A two-out walk was plated on a double to tie the game. The next batter singled to left and Heili came up with a perfect throw home to Daulton Varsho, who tagged out the runner to send the game to the 18th inning.
 
"Play of the game right there," Doffek said. "Heili had the big home run and then saved the game in the 17th throwing the runner out at the plate."
 
The 18th was then all Milwaukee. Luke Meeteer led off with a double and went to third on a passed ball. Nick Unes laced a double down the right field line to plate Meeteer and give Milwaukee the 2-1 lead. Heili was intentionally walked, with John Boidanis coming through with a two-run double of his own down the left field line to make it 4-1.
 
The pitching was outstanding all day long, capped by Mason Pingel working a 1-2-3 18th inning to record his first save of the season.
 
It started with Adam Reuss, who went 8.0 shutout innings, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning. He ended up allowing just two hits, walking one and striking out four and really never facing any danger.
 
The Panthers had a chance to end it in the 10th. Mike Jordahl doubled with one out. Following a fly out, an intentional walk was followed up by an unintentional base on balls, loading the bases for Varsho. However, a fly ball to center produced out No. 3.
 
Jake Tuttle relieved Reuss in the ninth and pitched well, allowing just one hit in his three innings of work. Up next was Elijah Goodman, who was nothing short of phenomenal. Goodman worked the 12th through 15th innings, retiring all 12 batters he faced in his 4.0 inning stint.
 
There were not very many serious threats for either side past that in extra innings.
 
Milwaukee did have one in the top of the 16th when Meeteer followed up an infield single with a stolen base to put a runner in scoring position with nobody out. But, the Redbirds were able to record a strikeout and then an impressive 5-3-6 double-play to end the rally, doubling up the runner trying to advance to third on a ground ball to the left side of the infield.
 
Jake Sommers started the 16th inning by giving up a leadoff walk, but, following a sac bunt, worked out of trouble by inducing a ground ball to third for out number two and a weak hit grounder to second base for the third out of the inning. He ended up recording the victory on the day.
 
The contest easily toppled the former longest game, which had been a pair of 14-inning affairs (5/22/10 vs. Youngstown State and 5/21/08 vs. Cleveland State).
 
In addition, both Varsho and Meeteer tied the school record with eight at bats in the game.
 
Meeteer led the way with three hits, a run scored and a pair of stolen bases. Varsho collected a pair of hits, as did Jordahl (2-for-4) and Boidanis (2-for-4, 2 RBI).
 
Up next, the Panthers remain on the road, heading to the state of Ohio for the start of Horizon League play. Milwaukee will play Youngstown State, opening a three-game series Thursday at 2 p.m. CST.