March 11, 2008
Final Stats
BRADENTON, Fla. -
With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, sophomore Gabe DeMarco stepped up and knocked the game-winning single, as the Illinois State baseball team (5-5) defeated Eastern Kentucky, 3-2, at the IMG Academy. DeMarco's hit flew over the out-stretched glove of the Colonels' first baseman and bounced down the right field line, as the Redbirds won their second of three extra-inning affairs in the past four games.
DeMarco, who finished the day 2-for-5 with two RBI, led the Redbird offense along with junior Kevin Dubler, who batted 3-for-5 with a home run and one RBI. Freshman Ben Hays was impressive in his first collegiate start, allowing only one run on four hits in 6.0 innings of work. Hays also struck out a career-high five batters, while walking none. Senior Eric Theisen (2-2) picked up his second win of the season in 2.0 innings of relief.
Head coach Jim Brownlee was quick to credit Hays for his day on the mound, and was happy to see DeMarco make things happen at plate.
"I'm ecstatic about Ben Hays, I don't remember the last time I had a freshman perform like that," said Brownlee. "It was a pressure situation, because we didn't score a lot of runs. He really gave us a chance to win, and when we made errors in the field it didn't bother him at all. He had great composure. He's an exciting piece of the puzzle for us, and will contend for starting job if he can continue to pitch like he did today.
"Gabe has been inconsistent at times during the season, but it's still very early. I still wouldn't want anyone else besides Gabe at the plate in that situation with the game on the line. He came through today, and I am really happy for our kids because they found a way to win."
The Colonels tied the game, 2-2, after rallying to score a run in the ninth. After the Redbirds were unable to score in the bottom half of the inning, Theisen was able to work his way out of a jam and put ISU at the plate in the bottom of the 10th. Pinch hitter Anthony Ruffolo led off the frame by hitting a single through the right side of the infield, and was replaced on the base paths by pinch runner Cole Marty. Freshman Kevin Tokarski followed with a walk, and both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch.
Junior Mike Stalowy was then intentionally walked, loading the bases for second baseman Ronnie Calvird. Calvird reached base on a fielder's choice, as Marty was thrown out at home by the first baseman. Dubler stepped to the plate and pushed the pitcher a 3-2 count, but was called out on strikes. The stage was set for DeMarco's heroics, as the Rockford, Ill., native recorded his first-career walk-off hit.
Illinois State was aggressive in its first at-bat, plating a run with two outs in the bottom of the first. Dubler started the rally with a single, and DeMarco knocked him in on a double to the right centerfield gap. But Eastern Kentucky countered in the top of the third, as catcher Joe Oliver started the frame by reaching on an error by senior Kyle Cherney. As Oliver attempted to steal second, Dubler's throw went over Calvird's head at the base, and Oliver advanced to third, and then scored on a throwing error by Corey Maines.
Dubler put ISU back on top in the fourth, as the Downers Grove, Ill., native blasted a lead-off home run, deep over the right field wall.
Eastern Kentucky waited until its last at-bat to tie the game, as junior relief pitcher Dan Sorce walked the first batter of the inning. Theisen then came into the game, and recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt. However, the next EKU batter, Dylan McMaine, singled up the middle and moved the runner to third base and scored on a sacrifice fly from first baseman Anthony Ottrando. Theisen was able to retire the next batter to give ISU a chance to win it in regulation.
The Redbirds will be back in action Wednesday when they take on the Bucknell Bison at the IMG Academy. First pitch is slated for 10:30 EST.
