Feb. 22, 2008
Final Stats
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -
Junior Kevin Dubler batted 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored, but the Illinois State baseball team (0-1) was unable to overcome an early deficit and dropped its season-opener, 8-1, to Tennessee Tech Friday afternoon at Bush Stadium. The Redbirds recorded only four hits, and dropped their fourth-straight season-opening game.
Senior Kyle Cherney batted 1-for-4 with an RBI single, while starting pitcher junior Dan Sorce (0-1) battled control issues early and suffered the loss. The left-hander lasted 4.0 innings, giving up five runs (four hits) and a career-high six walks.
Tennessee Tech freshman A.J. Kirby-Jones had an impressive collegiate debut, batting 3-for-4 with a home run and five RBI. Starting pitcher Jake Edwards (1-0) threw 6.0 innings of three-hit ball, and struck out a career-high nine batters to pick up the victory.
The Golden Eagles got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. After Sorce walked the first two batters of the frame, Jake New hit a single that advanced both runners and loaded the bases. Designated hitter Chris King then advanced to first on a fielder's choice, and was able to plate leadoff hitter Alex Henry. Sorce was able to pick off King at first, but gave up another run on a RBI single up the middle from Kirby-Jones. But the left-hander was able to retire the next batter on a fly ball to escape any more damage in the inning.
Cherney cut into the Golden Eagles' lead in the top of the third, after Dubler singled and stole second. Cherney was able to take a fastball into the right-centerfield gap, singling home Dubler with one out. However, Edwards was able to strike out Corey Maines to end the inning and preserve the 2-1 advantage.
Tennessee Tech struck again in the bottom half of the third, as Kirby-Jones hit his first-career home run, a three-run blast that cleared the right field wall and widened the Golden Eagles' margin to 5-1.
Jones continued his big day in the fifth inning, recording his fourth RBI of the game after hitting a double off freshman reliever Matt Werderitch in the gap in left field to score Evan Webb. Tennessee Tech plated two more in the following inning, with RBI singles from Thomas Nelson and New.
The Illinois State baseball team will be back in action Saturday, when the two teams face off in the second of a three-game set. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. at Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex.
