Feb. 24, 2006
Clarksville, Tenn. -
Coming off a disappointing loss to Austin Peay in Thursday's game, the Illinois State baseball team was looking to rebound against Dayton in the first game of the Austin Peay Invitational at Raymond C. Hand Park. However, a strong pitching performance from Dayton (1-2) starter Luke Trubee dashed the Redbirds' hopes, as ISU (0-2) fell to Dayton 5-4 on Friday
Freshman Ian Berger (0-1) takes the loss for the Redbirds after giving up three runs on three hits, two of which were earned runs, and walking five in 4.2 innings of work. Junior Mike Hlavacek pitched strong in relief, but gave up a late home run in his 4.1 innings. Trubee (1-1) earned the win for the Flyers, after pitching 8.1 strong innings and striking out nine batters.
The Redbirds came out firing in the bottom of the first, hoping to erase the disappointing loss from the previous day. Junior Matt Bolt led off the game for ISU with a sharp double to the gap in right-center field. After Bolt advanced to third on a Jay Molina grounder, sophomore Ryan Anetsberger continued his 17-game hit streak with a single to right field and scored Bolt for the first run of the day and a 1-0 lead after the first inning.
Dayton would even the score, though, in the top of the first. A dreaded two-out walk by ISU pitcher Ian Berger to Dayton catcher Josh Burt started inning for the flyers. A Mike DeLuca single moved Burt to second and Roberto Ramos brought Burt across the plate with a single to tie the score at 1-1.
The action was quiet until the top of the fifth inning, when Flyers added two more runs to take the lead at 3-1. ISU pitcher Ian Berger hit Ramos to start the inning and advanced to second on a Michael Massa sacrifice bunt. After a Bobby Getty walk, Ramos stole third and scored on an errant throw by Molina bringing the score to 2-1. Dayton would add its third run on a well executed double steal, with Bryan Chandler stealing second and Getty stealing home.
With Dayton leading 3-1 going into the ninth, the Flyers tacked on two runs in the top half of the inning on a Getty two-run home run. ISU tried to mount a ninth inning in the bottom half with comeback much like Austin Peay's the day before. However, a three-run home run by junior college transfer Jesse Griswold was not enough to get the job done and the Redbirds fell short 5-4.
The Redbirds will face the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday in the team's second of three games in the Austin Peay Invitational. It will be the first of three meetings between the Redbirds and Hawkeyes in 2006. Junior Dan Frega will take the mound for ISU, with the first pitch scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
