May 10, 2008
Final Stats
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State baseball was unable to stop Southern Illinois in the batter's box, as they surrendered 18 hits and fell, 10-5, to the Salukis in game one of a Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Duffy Bass Field.
Senior Tyler Cox (4-4) suffered the loss, as the left-hander surrendered four runs on nine hits. Cox, who threw 105 pitches in only 5.2 innings of work, walked two and struck out two. The Salukis got a strong outing from left-hander Shawn Joy, who allowed three runs on four hits. Joy was able to induce many first-pitch outs, as he walked two and struck out none in his eight innings of work.
The Redbirds (21-26, 5-15 MVC) were led at the plate by junior Kevin Dubler, who went 2-for-4 with a double. Dubler's two-bagger tied him for the single-season doubles record at 22 with former Redbird Greg Mote (1994). Senior Kevin Konsler was the only other Redbird to record multiple hits, as the right field went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
The Salukis were able to grab an early 2-0 lead, as Southern Illinois plated one run in both the second and third innings. The Salukis threatened again in the fifth, as left fielder Bret Maugeri walked to open the frame. After Konsler recorded back-to-back put outs, designated hitter Dean Cademartori found the right field gap for a double, but Maugeri could not score on the play. First baseman Chris Crank stepped up and lined a shot into the right field gap, and Konsler made a full-extension, diving catch to end the threat and keep the Redbirds in the ballgame.
But the Salukis would break the game open in the next inning (sixth), as SIU put up four runs on five hits. The Salukis were able to force Cox out of the game after second baseman Scott Elmendorf singled home the first run, while junior reliever Dan Sorce surrendered three runs, highlighted by a two-out, two-run single by right fielder Aaron Roberts.
The Redbirds were able to get on the board in the bottom of the seventh, as junior Mike Stalowy led off the inning with a single to left field. Dubler followed with a single to put runners on the corners, while sophomore Anthony Ruffolo plated Stalowy on a fielder's choice to second base.
Southern Illinois was able to add two more runs (8-1) in the eighth, as SIU recorded three-straight hits to open up the frame. But the Redbirds came back and added two runs in the bottom half of the inning, after junior Quinn Ewert ripped an RBI double to score Konsler, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Freshman Kevin Tokarski brought home the second run on a RBI groundout to second to score freshman Ronnie Calvird.
After SIU was able to push across two more runs in the top of the ninth, the Redbirds were able to put together a rally when Dubler led off with a double, and later moved to third on a passed ball. Ruffolo followed with a double to the gap in right field to plate Dubler, while Calvird pushed him across on a fielder's choice to second base. But that would be closest ISU would get, as SIU relief pitcher Daniel Etienne was able to force a ground out to end the game.
