March 16, 2007
Box Score
ST. LOUIS, Mo. -
During its spring break road trip, the Illinois State baseball team has had very few problems collecting hits and scoring runs, which was showcased in Wednesday's 15-13 win over Memphis. However, on Friday against Saint Louis, ISU could not find its offense as the Billikens (2-15) held the Redbirds (7-8) to just one run on five hits and secured a 5-1 victory at the Billiken Sports Center.
ISU starter Eric Theisen (1-4) suffered the loss for the Redbirds, after giving up three runs, two of which were earned, and eight hits in five innings of work on the mound. SLU starter Dave Sever (1-2) earned the win in eight innings, giving up just one run in the first inning while allowing just five hits while striking out five ISU hitters.
Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee was frustrated with the way his team played on Friday.
"This is the first time I've been disappointed this season because I think it's the first time we didn't come to the park ready to play," said Brownlee. "I thought we fought hard and played aggressively in all of our other losses, but we lacked that today. Our offense is what has carried us lately, but we couldn't get anything going and their starter did a good job throwing strikes."
The Redbirds jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, courtesy of a pair of doubles. Collin Salzenstein led off the game with double to left-center field and later came in to score on a one-out double by Ryan Anetsberger to give ISU the one-run advantage. However, the Billikens answered back with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 1-1.
A pair of solo home runs by Blake Bratcher and Ryan Crespi allowed Saint Louis to take a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning. After three scoreless innings by both squads, the Billikens got back on the scoreboard with two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to widen the lead to 5-1 in favor of Saint Louis.
The second game of the three-game weekend series will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday. ISU freshman Ryan Copeland (2-1, 5.53 ERA) will take the mound for the Redbirds against Saint Louis starter Ryan Bird (0-1, 2.88 ERA) at the Billiken Sports Center.
