April 6, 2008
Final Stats
EVANSVILLE, Ind. -
Junior Kevin Dubler continued his hot hitting at the plate, while Corey Maines turned in the Redbirds' third-straight solid outing from the mound, as the Illinois State baseball team (13-13, 3-6 MVC) recorded its first series sweep of the season by defeating Evansville, 6-2, in a Missouri Valley Conference game at Braun Stadium. Dubler finished the day 2-for-2 with two RBI and three walks, while Maines (2-3) allowed two runs on five hits in six innings of work to pick up the win.
Freshman Ronnie Calvird also recorded a solid performance, both in the field and at the plate. Calvird batted 2-for-4 with a walk and two RBI and showed his range in the field by tallying a career-high nine assists. Sophomore Dan Weston broke out of a slump at the dish, as the LaGrange, Ill., native finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Freshman Ben Hays earned his first-career save, as the right-hander threw three scoreless innings of relief.
With the Redbirds' win Sunday, Illinois State secured its first series sweep since March 31-April 1, 2007, when ISU swept three games over Missouri State at Duffy Bass Field.
Head coach Jim Brownlee was quick to credit the Redbirds' starting pitching for its success against UE, evident Sunday by Calvird's busy day at second base.
"I thought we pitched well all weekend. Ronnie (Calvird) had eight ground-ball assists, which shows that Corey and Ben were hitting their spots," said Brownlee. "I thought our starters all gave us quality outings, and we hardly had to use the bullpen. When we did go to our bullpen, our guys did a fantastic job. It's great when you can use only six pitchers all weekend."
For the second-straight game, the Redbirds were able to put together a productive first inning. Freshman Kevin Tokarski got things started with a single up the middle, however, was thrown out trying to steal second. But Dubler, senior Kyle Cherney and sophomore Anthony Ruffolo walked to load the bases. Calvird delivered a two-RBI single up the middle, as Dubler and Cherney came around to score.
But Evansville was able to counter in the bottom half of the frame, as left fielder Greg Wallace led off with a single down the left field line. Wallace came around to score after third baseman Andy Pascoe roped a single to right center field. The Redbirds were able to throw out Pascoe as he tried to advance to second and Maines settled down, as he retired the next batter on a ground ball to second to end the threat.
The Redbirds got the run back in the next half inning (third), as Weston and junior Mike Stalowy recorded back-to-back singles to put two runners on with nobody out. Tokarski moved both runners over with a sacrifice, and Cherney hit a sacrifice fly to left field to plate Weston.
Dubler and Tokarski continued their impressive weekend, as Tokarski singled with two outs in the top of the fourth. Dubler followed with a hit to left field that nearly left the park, but bounced off the wall for a stand-up double. Dubler's double brought home Tokarski easily, giving ISU a 4-1 lead.
After Evansville got a run back in the bottom of the sixth, the Redbirds came back and re-gained a three-run lead in the top of the seventh. Calvird reached base via walk with one out, and advanced to scoring position on a wild pitch from relief pitcher Seth McCabe. Junior Quinn Ewert stepped up and lined a single to centerfield while Calvird was running, and Calvird scored standing to give ISU the 5-2 advantage.
Illinois State added an insurance run in the eighth, as Dubler hit an RBI-single to the outfield to score Weston, who led off the frame with an infield single.
The Redbirds will host in-state rival Northern Illinois Tuesday (April 8) at Duffy Bass Field. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.
