Steve Hecker scattered four hits and struck out seven, defeating Indiana State 3-1 in the first game of a Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader as Illinois State split the pair of games at Redbird Field Saturday. The Sycamores took game two of the doubleheader, winning 7-5.
A two-out double by Jon Peacock and an RBI single by freshman shortstop Jeremy Accardo in the third inning got the Redbirds on the board early in the first game. Illinois State added another run in the fifth inning when Jared Dufault started another two-out rally with a single to left field. Mike Saunches drove in his team-leading 52nd RBi of the season with a double to right field to score Dufault from second.
Peacock started things again in the sixth with a leadoff double to left field and advanced to third on a ground out before scoring on a passed ball to give Illinois State a 3-0 lead after six innings.
Hecker (7-3) had command of all of his pitches and continually worked ahead in the count as he cruised to his third consecutive complete-game victory.
Ive been pitching with a lot of confidence lately, Hecker said. Ive been working with coach (Tim) Johnson and its paid off because today I had everything going for me. I was able to spot my fastball and throw my breaking ball for strikes.
Indiana State avoided the shutout in the seventh when Michael Miller singled to right field with one out and the bases loaded to score Kevin Egli. Hecker gave way to Ryan Cantrell who got Augie Casson to ground into a game-ending double play to earn his second save of the year.
The Redbirds pounded out 10 hits and Indiana State committed three errors in the night cap, but it just wasnt enough as the Sycamores downed Illinois State 7-5.
The Sycamores (24-21, 13-13) jumped ahead early with three runs in the third inning off of ISU starter Neil Johnson. Sycamore first baseman John Purdom got the inning going with a 350-foot laser over the left field wall. A bunt single by Josh Owens and a hit batsmen put two on for catcher Tommy Jeffers who dropped a double in front of ISU left fielder Jason Scherer that plated two runs.
The Birds answered with a lone run in their half of the third when second baseman Jim Chiappetta, who had cranked a one-out double to right, scored on a basehit up the middle by Scherer.
Illinois State (23-18, 10-9) added another run in the fourth when Accardos team-leading sixth sacrifice fly plated Mike Saunches who singled to leadoff the inning. The Birds tacked on another run in the fifth when Scherer scored on a two-out error by Purdom to give ISU a 4-3 lead.
After allowing three runs in the third, Johnson settled down a retired the next nine batters in order before being chased from the game in the seventh inning.
Back-to-back walks and a sacrifice bunt put runners in scoring position with one out to start the decisive seventh inning for Indiana State. A bloop double in front of Scherer in left plated two runs and a single by Tommy Jeffers added another as the Sycamores claimed a 6-4 lead.
Two plays cost us the game, ISU head coach Jeff Stewart said about the two two-run doubles to left field. We lose a ball in the sun when weve got sunglasses on and a glove on our left hand. Weve played out there before with the sun shining and Id like to think well make that play, maybe thats expecting too much, but I think that play has got to be made.
If three guys dive for that blooper that landed behind third base in the seventh and come up empty then we would have had to tip our hats to Indiana State and say that they earned the victory, Stewart said. Three guys not diving for that ball just shows a lack of effort and to get beat on your home field without giving 100 percent effort every pitch of the game is inexcusable.
The Redbirds came right back with a run in the bottom of the seventh when Dufaults single plated Scherer who began the inning with a double to right.
Indiana State tacked on another run in the nine and Caleb Reger made the lead stand with his fourth save of the year. Pat Tingley (4-0), who allowed one run on three hits in one inning out of the bullpen, earned the victory. Kyle Zaleski (1-1) got the loss for the Redbirds.
The two teams conclude the series at noon on Sunday. Seniors Jared Dufault, Steve Hecker, Nick Kempen, Jason Scherer, Dave Schoeberlein and Ed Tolzien will be honored prior to the game.
