March 9, 2008
Final Stats
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -
Senior Kevin Konsler batted 3-for-4 with two RBI, but a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning by Bethune-Cookman's Chris Brown downed the Illinois State (4-5) baseball team, 7-6, in the series finale at BCU Sunday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The Redbirds rallied to tie the game twice after falling behind three runs in the fifth inning, but could not record the key hit in the top of the eighth inning to take the lead.
The Redbirds out-hit the Wildcats, 10-9, backed by Konsler's three hits. Junior Kevin Dubler also had a productive day at the plate, batting 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Freshman Corey Maines made his first career start, throwing 4.1 innings and allowing five runs on five hits in the no decision. Senior Eric Theisen (1-2) suffered the loss, after giving up one run in 1.1 innings of work.
Illinois State tied the game, 6-6, in the eighth on a sacrifice fly from Stalowy. The sacrifice scored pinch runner Tyler McNeely, who came in for Konsler after he led off the inning with a single. Freshman Kevin Tokarski, who moved to third on the sac fly after hitting a single earlier in the frame, was caught in a rundown between third and home on a failed squeeze play with freshman Ronnie Calvird at-bat.
After the Redbirds went down in order in the ninth, the Wildcats put runners on first and second with one down. Theisen, who came into the game in the eighth, was able to shut down the scoring chance by getting Emmanuel Castro to hit a line drive at Calvird, who doubled up the runner at first.
But after the Redbirds were retired in order in the top of the 10th, Brown stepped to the plate and hit a towering, solo shot to left field to end the game.
Head coach Jim Brownlee was proud of his team for its approach during the series.
"I thought it was a really good weekend against a southern team, as we had a chance to take the series," said Brownlee. "I thought we played really well, but didn't get rewarded. We will get rewarded down the road. Bethune-Cookman is a very good team, and I thought our hitters did a great job with their approach. They made a great pitch on the squeeze play, and I thought we were going to have a déjà vu play from yesterday. They just made a great pitch."
Junior Mike Stalowy got the Redbird offense going in the top of the first inning, as the first baseman led off with single and advanced to third on a single by Dubler. Sophomore Gabe DeMarco then delivered an RBI double down the right field line, plating Stalowy. Senior Kyle Cherney followed by lining a single past the Wildcat third baseman, allowing Dubler to score, which put ISU ahead, 2-0.
Illinois State threatened again in the top of the third after Stalowy, Dubler and DeMarco all reached base via two walks and a hit-by-pitch. Cherney came up with bases loaded and only one out, but hit a line drive right at the shortstop José Lozada, who threw to second to record an inning-ending double play.
The Wildcats came back and took the lead, 4-2, in the bottom of the third, on a bases-loaded double from first baseman Osvaldo Torres, and another double by Brown. Bethune-Cookman added another run in the bottom of the fifth on a sacrifice fly, to push its lead to 5-2.
Konsler brought the Redbirds back into the game, 5-4, on a single up the middle with two runners on and one out in the sixth. Konsler's single brought home Cherney, who was hit-by-a-pitch, and Weston, who doubled down the left field line. Konsler moved to third after he stole the base, but the Redbirds could not tie the game, as Calvird popped out to right to end the frame.
But ISU tied the game the next inning, as Dubler started the frame by reaching on an error by the second baseman. Dubler moved to third on a groundout by DeMarco, and scored after a wild pitch by relief pitcher Concepcion Guzman. However, Bethune-Cookman was able to regain the lead in the bottom half of the frame on a double to centerfield by Torres.
The Redbirds will continue their spring break trip Tuesday, when they take on Eastern Kentucky at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. First pitch is slated for 1:30 p.m. CST.
