March 2, 2008
Box Score |
Notes
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -
With the Illinois State baseball team trailing, 9-3, as it headed into the ninth inning, the Redbirds (3-3) plated three runs but couldn't record the key hit as they fell, 9-6, to the Austin Peay Governors (3-3) Sunday at Raymond C. Hand Park. Junior Kevin Dubler continued his torrid start to 2008 at the plate, hitting his second home run of the year, but ISU was unable to tie the game in the final inning with the bases loaded and two outs.
The Redbirds started the ninth with a double from senior Kyle Cherney and a walk from pinch hitter Anthony Ruffolo. Sophomore Cole Marty followed with a single to plate Cherney, and freshman Kevin Tokarski's walk loaded the bases. Junior Mike Stalowy then walked to bring home another run, and freshman Ronnie Calvird's fielder's choice scored Marty.
With a 3-2 count and two outs, Dubler remained patient and drew a walk to load the bases for the second time in the frame. But sophomore Gabe DeMarco could not bring the Redbirds any closer, striking out to end the game.
Dubler, who batted .571 with two home runs, four doubles, seven RBI and a 1.286 slugging percentage for the weekend, was named to the Austin Peay Invitational All-Tournament Team along with teammates Stalowy, Tokarski and sophomore Ryan Copeland. Junior Dan Sorce was strong out of the bullpen Sunday, throwing 5.1 innings and striking out a career-high nine batters.
Head coach Jim Brownlee was pleased with the Redbirds' effort throughout the weekend, feeling that the team's younger players were able to step up and compete in the close game.
"I thought we had a really good weekend, and we had one bad inning today that cost us the game," said Brownlee. "We gave ourselves a chance at the end of the ballgame, and I was really proud of our kids because we weren't able to do that last weekend. I was really happy to see our freshmen perform when they got in the game this weekend, and it's good for them to be in that environment where you are down and trying to battle back."
Dubler continued to swing a hot bat in the first, as the Downers Grove, Ill. native put the Redbirds ahead, 2-0. Dubler jacked his second home run of the season and the weekend, a two-run blast that was scorched down the right field line. But the Govs battled back in the bottom of the second, hitting three-straight doubles to gain a 6-2 advantage, which forced starting pitcher Eric Theisen (0-1) out of the game.
Austin Peay added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth, courtesy of a triple and two doubles from the top of the Governors' order.
The Redbirds were able to push a run across in the sixth, after Dubler led off the frame with a double down the right field line. DeMarco was hit by a pitch, and Cherney loaded the bases with a single. Maines then reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Dubler and moving two runners into scoring position with two outs. But APSU starting pitcher Ryne Mantooth settled in, and ended the threat with a strikeout.
The Illinois State baseball team will head to Daytona Beach, Fla., to take on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, March 7-9. The Redbirds will play three games at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, with Friday's series-opening game slated to start at 6 p.m. CST.
