April 26, 2008
Final Stats
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -
For the second-straight day, the Illinois State baseball team received a strong outing from its left-handed starting pitcher, however, finished with a similar result. Senior Tyler Cox threw six innings and surrendered only two earned runs, but the Redbirds (18-21, 3-11 MVC) fell in a pitchers' duel, 3-1, to Missouri State in a Missouri Valley Conference game Saturday afternoon at Hammons Field.
Cox was sharp, as he allowed seven hits while striking out four, but Missouri State's left-hander Buddy Baumann was up for the challenge. Baumann threw a complete-game, allowing only one run on eight hits while striking out five. The Redbirds did see production from the top of the batting order, as junior Mike Stalowy and freshman Kevin Tokarski both batted 2-for-4 with two singles. However, the Redbirds left seven men on base for the second-straight game.
"Missouri State is susceptible to left-handed pitching, and Tyler did a good job," said head coach Jim Brownlee. "They made three really good defensive plays, as we would have scored on each play. They robbed Cherney of a home run, which was a great play. I think the three times we had guys in scoring position they came up with a big play. Both their shortstop and second baseman have great range, and they can go out and get the ball. Their kid went out and threw strikes, but I've never seen our team take so many fastballs for strikes. The disappointing thing is that we walked in a run and made an error to score another. The series has been really even; we haven't been lucky and they have made some big plays."
Both starting pitchers started the game in control, as neither team was able to get anything early in the game. The Redbirds had the first opportunity to score, when senior Kyle Cherney hit a fly ball down the left field line. MSU left fielder Ryan Mantle drifted back to the outfield wall and made a leaping grab over the fence to rob Cherney of a round-tripper and keep the game tied at 0-0.
The Bears were able to come back and take the lead in the bottom of the fourth, as MSU led off the inning with a walk and a bunt single. Mantle then stepped up and delivered a single to centerfield on a hit-and-run. Redbird centerfielder Quinn Ewert fielded the ball cleanly, however, his throw back into the infield was errant. The throw rolled all the way to the Bears' dugout, allowing two runs to score on the play. But Cox remained composed and retired the next two batters to get out of the jam.
The Redbirds got on the board in the top of the sixth, as Illinois State cut the deficit to one run (2-1) after Stalowy and Tokarski recorded back-to-back singles with one out. Stalowy was able to move to third on Tokarski's single to right field, and junior Kevin Dubler plated the first baseman on a sacrifice fly to centerfield. Cherney followed with a single to put two runners on with two out, but Baumann was able to get out of the jam when he got sophomore Anthony Ruffolo to line out to the MSU shortstop Chris Playter, who made a snow-cone catch to end the frame.
The Bears came back in the bottom half of the frame, as the Bears were able to load the bases with two outs. Missouri State catcher Dallas Hord was put into a full count, but drew a walk to bring home the Bears' third run. Baumann continued to thwart the Redbirds' hitters, as he allowed only two hits in the final three innings to pick up his fourth win of the season.
The Redbirds will wrap up their three-game set at Missouri State Sunday. First pitch from Hammons Field is set for 1 p.m.
