March 18, 2007
Box Score
ST. LOUIS, Mo. -
With the game tied at 1-1 headed into the ninth inning on Sunday, it looked like the Illinois State baseball team and the Saint Louis Billikens might be headed for extra innings for the second day in a row. However, the Redbirds (8-9) didn't want that to happen, as they scored five runs in the final frame to earn a 6-1 victory over the Billikens (3-16). The `Birds avoided the series sweep with the win and concluded their eight-game spring trip with a 5-3 record.
Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee wanted his team to do the little things on Sunday, and that's exactly what they did.
"We really needed our pitchers to come out today and throw strikes and we needed our hitters to bunt well, move runners and have good at bats and that's exactly what we did," said Brownlee. "Luke had his best performance of the year because he was around the plate all day and had good command of his pitches. Then, Dan came in and threw well for the second outing in row and closed out the game for us, which is good heading into league play next weekend. The difference between winning today and losing yesterday comes down to our execution today."
Sophomore reliever Dan Sorce (1-1) earned the win in two scoreless innings of relief on the mound. The left-hander allowed just one hit while walking one batter and striking out one. Chris Paulson (0-1) suffered the loss in relief for Saint Louis, as he allowed five runs, three of which were earned, on four hits in two-thirds of an inning.
The Redbirds jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on three hits. Collin Salzenstein led off the game with a bunt single and later stole second. With one out, Ryan Anetsberger singled into right field and gave the `Birds runners on first and third. Kevin Dubler followed with a single of his own into right field, which scored Salzenstein from third for the first run of the game.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Billikens tied the game at 1-1 on a RBI single by Bill Musselman. The game stayed tied until the ninth inning, when the Redbirds exploded for five runs to take a 6-1 lead. With runners on second and third and no outs, Kyle O'Brien singled through the middle of the infield, which allowed Jesse Griswold to score from third base as Mike Stalowy advanced to third. Kyle Cherney the followed with a sacrifice fly to center field that brought in Stalowy for the second run of the inning to make the score 3-1 in favor of the `Birds.
With just one out, Mike Tokarski reached on a bunt single and Salzenstein singled into right field to load the bases for the Redbirds. Matt Bolt then came up and plated O'Brien with a sacrifice fly to center field to make the score 4-1. Tokarski, who tagged up and advanced to third on the sacrifice fly as well, scored when Anetsberger reached on a fielder's choice. Kevin Dubler then walked to load the bases once again and Griswold was hit by a pitch for the second time in the inning to plate Salzenstein for the final run of the inning and secured the 6-1 victory for ISU.
Salzenstein collected two hits and scored two runs in game for the Redbirds, while Anetsberger also chipped in with two hits. Starter Luke Baughman was solid in seven innings on the mound, allowing just three hits and one run while striking out four batters before being relieved by Sorce.
ISU next game will be its first at home, as the `Birds will face Valparaiso on Tuesday, March 20, at 4 p.m. at Redbird Field.
