April 1, 2007
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State baseball team headed into Sunday's finale of a three-game weekend series with Missouri State looking to do something it hadn't done since 2004, sweep a Missouri Valley Conference opponent. With the help of a seven-run seventh inning the Redbirds (12-13, 3-3 MVC) did just that, as they defeated the Bears (15-12, 2-4 MVC) by a score of 11-7 and earned the series sweep at Redbird Field.
ISU reliever Tyler Cox (2-0) earned the win for the Redbirds in relief of starter Mike Hlavacek. Cox allowed two runs on five hits in the final four innings of the game to close out the sweep for ISU, its first over an MVC opponent since May 6-8, 2004, against Indiana State. Buddy Baumann (0-3) suffered the loss for Missouri State, after giving up five earned runs on three hits in just one-third of an inning of relief.
Missouri State jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. However, the Redbirds answered back with a run in the bottom half of the frame when Collin Salzenstein scored from third base on fielder's choice to cut the lead to one. ISU would then take the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the second inning on a two-run double by Matt Bolt.
The Bears then regained the lead at 5-3 with three runs in the top of the fifth inning, highlighted by a two-run double by Ben Carlson. Once again, ISU answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning on a RBI double by Kevin Dubler to cut the lead to one at 5-4.
A run in the top of the sixth inning for Missouri State widened the lead to two runs at 6-4. After a scoreless sixth inning for both teams and a scoreless top half of the seventh for the Bears, Illinois State broke the game open in the bottom of the seventh inning.
With runners of first and second and no out, Jesse Griswold laced the first pitch he saw into right-centerfield to bring in Ryan Anetsberger for the first run of the inning. Kyle O'Brien then walked to load the bases and Kyle Cherney singled up the middle to score two more runs and give ISU a 7-6 lead, knocking Baumann out of the game as Dubler and Griswold scored.
Still with no outs in the inning, Kevin Konsler walked to load the bases for the second time and a Pat Doyle wild pitch brought in the fourth run of the inning as O'Brien scored. Mike Stalowy followed and struck to record the first out of the inning. Salzenstein was up next and tripled to right field to score Konsler and Cherney and bring the score to 10-6. Salzenstein then scored on a Bolt sacrifice fly to bring the score to 11-6 and end the seven-run barrage for the `Birds.
Missouri State added a run in the top of the eighth inning to cut the ISU lead to 11-7, but that would be as close as the Bears would get. Each of the first seven hitters in the Redbird lineup had at least one hit on the afternoon, with Anetsberger leading the way with a 4-for-4 performance. Bolt added three RBI to lead ISU in that category, while Salzenstein, Dubler and Cherney each chipped in with two apiece.
ISU returns to action on Tuesday, April 3, in a non-conference contest with in-state foe Northern Illinois. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Ralph McKinzie Field in DeKalb, Ill.
