On a windy day in which 15 home runs were hit in three tournament games, Illinois State had enough pitching to beat both 25th-ranked Purdue, 11-9, and host Austin Peay, 8-5, at the Governors Classic Saturday.
The Redbirds (4-1 overall) built an 11-2 lead but needed it to withstand a seven-run Purdue rally in the top of the ninth of the first game. But ISU reliever David Schoeberlien finally put out the fire, earning his first save of the season.
Winning pitcher Neal Cotts (2-0) allowed just two runs on three hits over the first seven innings before Brian Horner pitched a scoreless eighth. But Purdue reached ISU's next pitcher, Matt Hines, for seven runs on four hits and three walks. Schoeberlien gave up two more hits before he got the final out.
In the second game, winner Steve Hecker (2-0) scattered six hits and gave up two runs over six innings against Austin Peay. The hosts roughed up reliever Neil Johnson for three runs on six hits, but Horner came back to post his second save by striking out the
final batter.
"We had good starting pitching again today," said ISU coach Jeff Stewart. "Both Neil and Steve threw well, and with the exception of one guy out of the bullpen, the guys did a great job coming in and keeping them where we needed.
"We came up with some big defensive plays and some timely hits. It was simply good baseball."
Scott Legan had four hits, including a home run, and three RBI, Mike Saunches had two hits and two RBI, and Jeremy Accardo doubled and singled for the Redbirds against Purdue.
Ed Tolzien led the way against Austin Peay with a homer and three RBI, John Peacock drove in two runs with a homer, and Jason Scherer knocked in two runs with a pair of hits.
"The production at the bottom of the lineup is well-timed," Stewart said. "Although the top of our lineup can be devastating offensively, we're not getting everything we need from those guys.
"It's great to see them get picked up by the lower part of the lineup."
Today, the Redbirds meet Ball State at 11 a.m. The game is the unofficial championship, since both teams are 2-0 in the tourney.
