April 2, 2008
Final Stats
IOWA CITY, Iowa -
Senior Kyle Cherney enjoyed a career day by hitting home runs from both sides of the plate and recording three RBI, and a two-run ninth inning rally propelled the Illinois State baseball team to its first victory in over two weeks. The Redbirds (10-13) snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 7-6 win over Iowa in a non-conference game Wednesday afternoon at Duane Banks Field. Cherney matched career-highs in hits (three), runs (two) and RBI, while the switch hitter set a new personal-best with two home runs.
Cherney's two home runs also gave him three blasts in the last three games, as the Crystal Lake, Ill., native extended his hitting streak to six games. Cherney also became the first Redbird to hit two home runs in the same game since Kris Jenkins hit two dingers against Wichita State May 5, 2006. Freshman Kevin Tokarski also had a solid day, batting 2-for-5 with two runs and a stolen base.
Trailing 6-5 in the top of the ninth inning, the Redbirds rallied to put three runners on with no outs. Cherney led off the frame with a walk, and moved to third base on a single from freshman Ronnie Calvird. Pinch hitter Anthony Ruffolo loaded the bases with walk, giving the Redbirds the opportunity to tie or take the lead. After the next two batters struck out, junior Mike Stalowy hit a ball up the middle that looked like it would end the game. However, shortstop Caleb Curry, who came in the game as a defensive replacement, was unable to glove the ball as it went through his legs, allowing both Cherney and Calvird to score and give the `Birds the lead at 7-6.
Senior Eric Theisen (3-3), who entered the game in the eighth, looked sharp to begin the bottom half of the ninth. Theisen struck out the leadoff batter on three pitches, but surrendered back-to-back singles to give the Hawkeyes a chance to tie the game. But Theisen zoned in and got Curry to hit into a game-ending, 6-4-3 double play to end the ball game.
"It was a good game, as we swing the bat well and played like we did during our spring trip," said head coach Jim Brownlee. "Kyle Cherney was a huge lift, and I don't think I've ever had a guy hit home runs from both sides of the plate. He had a huge day and ran the bases well. He picked us up offensively, but as a team, we swung the bats well. It was nice to get rewarded with a win, and I think it gives us a lot of momentum as we head into the weekend."
Iowa was able to get on the board in the bottom half of the frame, as starting pitcher Quinn Ewert surrendered two runs on two hits. However, Cherney picked the Redbirds up in the top of the second, as he took a 1-1 pitch and drove it deep over the right field wall for his second home run of the season. Illinois State continued to threaten, as they put runners on the corners after Calvird doubled and junior Justin Rahn singled to left field. Rahn moved into scoring position when he stole his first-career base, however, the Redbirds left two stranded as the next two batters struck out to end the inning.
The Redbirds tied the game, 2-2, after the Redbirds put runners on the corners. Tokarski led off with a double down the right field line and junior Kevin Dubler followed with a walk. Cherney delivered again, this time with a RBI single to right field to score Tokarski. Freshman Ryan Court walked to load the bases, but no more runs would cross the plate, as Rahn drilled a ground ball right at the Hawkeyes' shortstop, who flipped it to second to end the threat.
The Hawkeyes re-gained the lead (5-2) in the bottom of the third, as Iowa put together a three run, three hit inning that was highlighted by an RBI triple from right fielder Justin Brauer. Cherney cut into the deficit in the top of the fifth, as he hit his second home run of the day, this time batting right-handed. Cherney turned on a pitch from relief pitcher Kyle Heim and drove it deep over the left wall, as the solo shot cut into the Hawkeyes' lead, 5-3.
After the Hawkeyes added a run in the bottom of the fifth, the Redbirds came back and scored a run in the seventh, as Dubler hit a single to score Tokarski, who led off with a single and stole his 14th base of the season to move into scoring position. The Redbirds scored again in the eighth, as Rahn led off with a walk. Stalowy then singled and Tokarski followed with a walk to load the bases. Rahn came home on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 6-5, and Dubler walked to load the bases again with sophomore Gabe DeMarco coming to the plate. But DeMarco could not bring him home, as he popped out to first base to end the inning.
The Redbirds will head to Evansville for a three-game Missouri Valley Conference series this weekend. Friday's opener is slated for 6 p.m.
