April 7, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
NORMAL, Ill. -
Senior Tyler Cox, junior Kevin Dubler and the Illinois State baseball team (13-13, 3-6) will look to add to a four-game winning streak when they play Northern Illinois and Purdue in two midweek non-conference games. The Redbirds will first host the Huskies Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Duffy Bass Field. The Redbirds will then travel to West Lafayette, Ind., for a 3 p.m. matchup at Purdue.
Cox and Dubler are both coming off impressive weeks, in which they led the team on the mound and at the plate. Cox combined with senior Eric Theisen for a two-hit shutout in game two of a doubleheader at Evansville Saturday. Cox was sharp on the mound in his first league start of his career, as the Danville, Ill., native threw seven innings of two-hit ball to pick up his third win of 2008. The left-hander did not allow a hit until the bottom of the seventh inning, and retired 12-straight batters in the game. Cox finished with seven innings pitched, to go along with seven strikeouts.
Dubler had an equally as impressive week at the plate, as the Downers Grove, Ill., native recorded team-highs in average (.545), slugging percentage (.818) and on-base percentage (.762). Dubler finished 6-for-11 with three doubles, six RBI, four stolen bases (4-for-4) and four runs scored. He also showed incredible patience at the plate, as he was walked a team-high 10 times. Dubler tied his career-high for walks with four against Evansville in game one of a doubleheader Saturday, as he saw 12-straight balls. Dubler made use of the lumber when he had a pitch to hit, as he batted .625 over the weekend (5-for-8) with three doubles and five RBI en route to a perfect 1.000 slugging percentage and a .813 on-base percentage.
Head coach Jim Brownlee feels that this week's slate of games will allow some pitchers an opportunity to gain more live-game experience as the Redbirds prepare for their weekend series against Northern Iowa (Friday-Sunday).
"This week will allow some guys to get some more innings under their belts because we only used six pitchers this past weekend," said Brownlee. "It will also allow us to see how each pitcher is coming along, especially guys like Ben Hays and Kyle Nelson. Northern Iowa has a veteran team and is playing well. They (UNI) have gotten off to a great start in conference play, so they are one of the teams we are chasing in the standings. We are playing them at home, and we have a chance to win four games at Duffy Bass Field this week."
The Redbirds will be facing a Northern Illinois team that begins the week 12-15 overall and 5-4 in the Mid-American Conference. The Redbirds will face either Brandon Copp or Dave Reynolds in Tuesday's game. Copp is 1-3 with a 7.20 earned-run average (ERA) in five starts this season, while Reynolds is 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts. The Huskies are led offensively by Jeff Thomas, who is batting a team-best .343 with three doubles and 20 RBI. The Redbirds will send junior Quinn Ewert to the mound in the game. Ewert is 0-0 with a 5.65 ERA in three starts this season.
Purdue (13-14, 6-2 Big Ten Conference) will throw either Matt Morgan or Tony Sedlmeyer in Wednesday's game. The Redbirds will send junior Dan Sorce to the mound. Sorce is 0-1 with a 7.77 ERA in 10 appearances (one start) this season.
Tuesday's game is "Greek Spirit Day," as all Illinois State Greek community members will receive free admission to the game. Fans can follow each this game with live statistics, available on GoRedbirds.com.
