March 2, 2007
Box Score
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -
Coming off a strong weekend of play against No. 5 Arkansas, the Illinois State baseball team was poised to continue its solid play heading into this weekend's three-game series with Louisville. However, the Redbirds (2-5) could not muster the same intensity they showed against the Razorbacks and lost a 9-3 decision to the Cardinals (5-4) at Patterson Stadium on Friday.
Eric Theisen (1-2) suffered the loss for ISU, as he allowed four earned runs in six innings of work while striking out six hitters. Louisville starter Zack Pitts (2-1) earned the victory, as he held ISU to just three runs on five hits while striking out seven batters in seven innings on the mound.
Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee thought his team lacked the intensity it showed last weekend against Louisville on Friday.
"We didn't come out today and play with the same fire today as that had last weekend against Arkansas," said Brownlee. "We weren't very locked in at the plate and didn't play that well defensively, with the big error in the eighth inning leading to three runs. But, their pitcher was very good today and Louisville is going to be a tough test for us all weekend."
The Cardinals jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs, Isaiah Howes doubled down the left field line and Pete Rodriguez followed with a RBI single to center field to score Howes. Derrick Alfonso then doubled down the left field line to drive in Rodriguez for the second run of the inning.
Louisville would tack on two more runs in the bottom of the third inning on a two-run RBI single by Daniel Burton to widen the lead to 4-0. However, the Redbirds would cut the lead in half at 4-2 on back-to-back solo home runs in the fifth inning. Ryan Anetsberger led off the frame with a shot to deep center field, his first of the year, and Jesse Griswold followed with a home run to left field, his second of the season.
After Louisville pushed two more runs across the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Redbirds answered with a run of their own in the top of the eighth to cut the Louisville lead to 6-3. Mike Stalowy led off the inning with a single to right field and was then pinch-ran for by Mike Tokarski. Kyle O'Brien then doubled into right field to score Tokarski and cut the lead to three runs.
That would be as close as the Redbirds would come, however, as Louisville would score three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, two of which were unearned, to secure a 9-3 victory over ISU. Collin Salzenstein finished with two hits for the Redbirds, while Logan Johnson paved the way for the Cardinals with three hits and two RBI.
Brownlee hopes his team can shake off the disappointing loss and bounce back on Saturday.
"After a game like this, we have to shake it off and get back at it tomorrow," said Brownlee. "This team knows how well they can play if they are concentrated on it, and we will try to get that concentration and focus back tomorrow."
Freshman Ryan Copeland (1-1) will take the hill for ISU on Saturday, hoping to even the series at one game apiece. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
