Oct. 5, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State senior and red team co-captain Kevin Konsler powered his squad to victory Thursday night, hitting 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, as the red squad defeated the white team, 4-2, at Duffy Bass Field. Sophomore pitcher Jacob Wielebnicki also had a solid outing for the red team, throwing five innings of four-hit ball to pick up the win and help the red team take a 2-0 lead in the 2007 Redbird Baseball World Series.
Freshman Matt Werderitch picked up the save, throwing two scoreless innings while striking out two. Freshman Corey Maines suffered the loss for the white team, surrendering three runs on five hits in four innings of work.
For the second straight game, the red team was able to take an early lead in its first at bat. Junior Mike Stalowy got the rally started after he was walked, and advanced to second on a single from junior Kevin Dubler. Both runners would then cross the plate when redshirt freshman Mark Evans hit a double to left field, which gave the red team a 2-0 advantage.
The red team added another run in the bottom of the third, when Konsler hit a solo shot, his first of the fall, giving the red team a 3-0 lead.
The white team was able to cut into the lead in the top of the fifth, as sophomore Tyler McNeely led of the inning with a walk. McNeely was able to advance to third when redshirt freshman Mike Domenick hit a single. Freshman Ronnie Calvird then hit into a double play that plated McNeely and advanced Domenick to third base.
Junior transfer Quinn Ewert then singled to center field to score Domenick to make the score, 3-2. However, the white team would not get any closer as the red team added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning on a RBI single from Konsler.
The 2007 Redbird Baseball World Series will continue Tuesday, Oct. 9. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. at Duffy Bass Field.
