April 10, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Sunday' 14-13 win over No. 23 Creighton on the road is the type of win that can carry ISU for the remainder of the season according to head coach Jim Brownlee. The `Birds will look to build on that momentum against the Northern Illinois Huskies (13-16) on Tuesday at Redbird Field and on the road in West Lafayette, Ind., on Wednesday against Big Ten opponent Purdue (17-9) and hopefully come away with some much needed non-conference wins.
Tuesday's 6 p.m. game will be the second of two games with the Huskies in 2006, with NIU coming away with an 11-8 win on their home field on April 4. Brownlee knows that home field advantage usually plays a factor in the yearly series with the Huskies and is looking forward to see how his team reacts after Sunday's win.
"Sunday's win was huge and I hope that we can keep the momentum going from that win and play well at home this week," said Brownlee. "NIU has beaten us at their place the past few times and we have returned the favor by winning at Redbird Field. Tuesday's game is set up to come out the same way and another home victory would do wonders for the team's confidence."
Sophomore Ryan Anetsberger and senior Kris Jenkins should help keep the ball rolling, as the two come into the mid-week contests against Northern Illinois and Purdue on hot streaks. Anetsberger finished the Creighton series with a .800 (8-10) average, including a perfect 6-for-6 day at the plate on Sunday, and reached base 12 consecutive times to finish the weekend. Meanwhile, Jenkins recorded six RBI against Creighton and brings a seven-game hit streak into the week. Brownlee knows that when multiple players get hot at the same time, good things could be on the horizon.
"With Ryan and Kris hitting the way they are and Jay (Molina) and Matt (Bolt) starting to get things going, this team is starting to look like the offensive team we expected to see at the beginning of the year," said Brownlee. "When that many players are seeing the ball well in the batter's box, others start to follow their lead and a lot of good things can happen."
Following the home contest on Tuesday, ISU will hit the road to face Purdue for a 3 p.m. contest on Wednesday. The Boilermakers have won six of their last seven contests and will look to derail the Redbirds' plans to defeat another Big Ten opponent, after posting a 2-1 record against Iowa in 2006.
"Purdue should be another interesting road game for us," said Brownlee. "We've played well against the Big Ten this year and in past years, but they are hot right now and will want to be competitive at home. Our mid-week philosophy won't change and we will head there and give guys a chance to play and compete and see what happens."
Junior Luke Baughman (2-2, 7.24 ERA) will take the mound on Tuesday against the Huskies, while junior Brad Puntney (0-0, 4.95 ERA) is penciled in to make his first start of the season on Wednesday against the Boilermakers. Mid-week games usually produce high scores, but Brownlee is interested to see how his pair of junior arms performs this week.
"Both of these guys have been with the program for a couple of years now and they are getting their shot to compete," said Brownlee. "Luke has been in his past couple of starts and we hope Brad will continue to pitch well in his first start of the season. I think if they can get ahead of the hitters and throw strikes, then we can be very successful during the week with the way the offense has been producing."
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