April 5, 2008
Final Stats
EVANSVILLE, Ind. -
Junior Kevin Dubler batted 2-for-2 with four walks and three RBI, as the Illinois State baseball team (11-13, 1-6 MVC) snapped a six-game Missouri Valley Conference losing streak by defeating Evansville, 11-1, in game one of a doubleheader Saturday at Braun Stadium. Dubler, who tied his career-high with four walks, was joined by freshman Kevin Tokarski, as the shortstop set a new career-high with three hits and tied his personal-best with three stolen bases.
Sophomore Ryan Copeland (4-3) was superb in his seventh start and picked up his fourth win of the season. Copeland surrendered only one run on seven hits in six innings of work. The Des Plaines, Ill., native was in control, as he walked only one batter and struck out five. Freshman Kyle Nelson recorded his first-career save, after allowing only one hit in three scoreless innings of work. Junior Quinn Ewert reached base all five plate appearances, batting 1-for-1 with career-highs in walks (three) and stolen bases (two).
The Redbirds' ability to get on-base was a key to their 11 runs, as Evansville walked ISU 13 times. The Redbirds' 13 free passes were the most walks recorded by the team in a game since Illinois State walked 13 times against Northern Iowa April 4, 2007. Once on the base paths the Redbirds took advantage, as ISU stole seven bases, the most since swiping seven bags against the Illinois Institute of Technology March 29, 2005.
After squandering a bases-loaded opportunity in the top of the first, the Redbirds were able to get on the board during the second frame. Ewert led off with a single and moved into scoring position on groundout from sophomore Dan Weston. Freshman Corey Maines followed with a line drive single to left field, allowing Ewert to score, and Maines moved to second on the throw. The Redbirds looked to get another run after Maines moved to third on a wild pitch, but Maines was thrown out at home after trying to tag on a fly out from junior Mike Stalowy.
The Redbirds added two more runs in the top of the fourth when freshman Ronnie Calvird was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Ewert followed with a walk, and both runners moved a base on a sacrifice from Weston. Maines delivered again, this time on a sacrifice fly to right field, which allowed Calvird to score standing and moved Ewert to third. Stalowy stepped up and knocked a single up the middle, scoring Ewert and giving the Redbirds a 3-0 advantage.
Another run came across the plate for the Redbirds in the top of fifth, as Illinois State loaded the bases again with nobody out. Calvird came to the plate with the bags full and hit into a 4-6-3 double play, but it was enough to plate Dubler, who opened the inning with a walk.
Dubler saw his first pitch to hit in the sixth inning and landed a double out of the reach of the Aces' diving left fielder. Dubler's ninth double of the season allowed Stalowy to come around to score after recording a lead-off single, as ISU gained a 5-0 lead. Evansville was able to cut into the deficit in the bottom half of the frame, as catcher Andy Pascoe jumped on a fastball and took it deep over the left field wall for a solo shot.
Tokarski helped Illinois State secure an insurance run in the eighth, as the shortstop led off the inning with a single. Tokarski stole second to move into scoring position, while Dubler was walked for the fourth time to put two runners on and one out. Tokarski then stole third base to give ISU runners on the corners. Tokarski stole home for the first time in his career after Dubler executed the first half of a double steal perfectly, as the Aces' catcher threw to second base instead of checking Tokarski at third base.
The Redbirds blew the game open in the top of the ninth inning, as Illinois State used three hits to plate five insurance runs. Ewert led off with a walk, and he moved to third after Stalowy and Tokarski followed with free passes. After Ewert scored on a wild pitch, Dubler delivered with a single to score Stalowy and Tokarski. Pinch hitter Anthony Ruffolo roped a double to move Dubler to third, and both runners came home on a single from senior Kyle Cherney.
The Redbirds will play in game two of a doubleheader at Evansville, beginning at 3:15 p.m.
