Junior Kris Jenkins went 2-2 with two runs scored and Collin Korab picked up the win as the Media World Series is now tied up at one game each heading into the third and final game Thursday. Scott Robbins of 99.5 The Eagle picked up the win in his Media World Series debut, as he defeated the squad managed by Steve Wartman of the Daily Vidette on Wednesday afternoon at Redbird Field.
The White team, who lost wearing the red uniforms on Tuesday, got on the board in their first at bat, as Jay Molina scored on a throwing error by Red third baseman Kevin Konsler, giving the White a 1-0 lead.
The White team tallied three more in the bottom of the third, as Ryan Anetsberger, Molina and Kyle OBrien each had RBI hits to give the White a 4-0 advantage.
White starter Kitt Kopach was in cruise control for his four innings of work, allowing only one hit and recording four strikeouts on the day in a no decision.
Kopach was great today, said Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee. He was basically untouchable and hes been that way all fall, which is a great sign for us.
Brad Sashko scored an unearned run in the top of the fourth to put the Red team on the board. The Red team would then add three more in the top of the fifth, thanks to an RBI single by Chris Frank, which tied the game at four.
The White squad would answer back with two in the bottom of the fifth, as Anetsberger drove in his second run on the day and gave the White a 6-4 lead after five. Team Red would get one in the top of the seventh, but they could never get the tying run across, giving Robbins squad the victory.
It had all the drama, excitement and intensity I thought it would, said Robbins. We got on top early and we closed it out late. It was a great day around a great group of guys.
Although Wartman took the loss, the Vidette sportswriter definitely enjoyed his day.
It was real interesting for me to be on the other side of the lines for a game, but it was a lot of fun, said the beat writer for the Redbird baseball team. We finally got the bats going late but we just made one to many mistakes to overcome.
With the series now tied at one win for each team, local media heavyweights Bryan Bloodworth, the sports editor of The Pantagraph and Russ Eisenstein, sports talk host at AM 1230 WJBC, will square off tomorrow in the deciding game.
I always like when the third game means something, added Brownlee. The first two games have came down to the last inning and Im sure tomorrow will be no different.
Game three will start at 3:30 p.m. at Redbird Field.
Team Red (1-1) 5 4 3
Team White (1-1) 6 6 3
WP: Korab, Collin
LP: Theisen, Eric
