May 16, 2008
Final Stats
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -
The Illinois State baseball team continued to struggle in the batter's box, as the Redbirds (22-29, 6-17) lost, 11-1, in seven innings to Indiana State in game two of a Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader Friday afternoon at Sycamore Field. The Redbirds dropped their second-straight decision to the Sycamores, as Illinois State collected seven hits in the defeat and fell to eighth place in the conference standings.
Senior Eric Theisen (5-5) struggled in his final start as a Redbird, as the right-hander surrendered six runs on seven hits in four innings of work. Freshman Ben Hays also struggled in relief, as he gave up four more runs on six hits while walking three in two innings. The Sycamores enjoyed another strong outing from their starting pitcher, as Matt Shelton allowed only one run on six hits in six innings of work. The Redbirds had three players record two hits in the game, as freshman Kevin Tokarski went 2-for-4 with two singles. Senior Kyle Cherney and freshman Ronnie Calvird each batted 2-for-3 with two singles apiece.
"Eric didn't have his stuff today (Friday), as he hit a batter with the bases loaded to bring home a run," said head coach Jim Brownlee. "But sometimes you have days like that, and it is unfortunate because that was his last start at Illinois State. We would have liked for him to end his career on a good note, but it just wasn't a good day for the Redbirds. We have one more game tomorrow, and hopefully we can come back and pick up a victory."
The Sycamores got on the scoreboard first in the bottom half of the first, as Theisen surrendered a single and a walk to lead off the inning. After Theisen was able to get the lead runner at third on a sacrifice bunt attempt, left fielder Chris Shoemaker stepped up and drilled a three-run home run to right centerfield to give Indiana State an early 3-0 margin. Indiana State threatened again in the bottom of the second, as the Sycamores loaded the bases on back-to-back singles and a walk. Theisen then plunked centerfielder Chris Schmidt to bring home another run, but re-gained his composure after a mound visit and retired the next batter on a fly out to end the threat. Indiana State added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, as second baseman Brian Ramirez delivered a two-run home run to centerfield.
The Redbirds had their first opportunity to get back into the ballgame during the top of the fifth, as Calvird and Maines recorded back-to-back singles with one out. Junior Quinn Ewert followed with a walk to load the bases, but Tokarski's ground ball up the middle was fielded by Shelton and thrown back to the plate to get Calvird out on the next play. Shelton then forced junior Mike Stalowy to hit into a fielder's choice to end the threat and leave the runners stranded. Illinois State was able to score its first run of the day in the sixth, as sophomore Anthony Ruffolo (0-for-0, three walks) walked to lead off the inning. Cherney followed with a single, and Calvird delivered a two-out single to bring home Ruffolo.
But the Sycamores came back in the bottom of the seventh, as the first three batters of the frame reached base to load the bases with nobody out. Redshirt freshman Christopher Newsome came into the game and recorded the first out when he forced shortstop Ryan Strausborger to hit into a fielder's choice. But the Sycamores loaded the bases again after a walk and scored two more runs on a fielder's choice that turned into an error as the throw got away at second base. First baseman Brian Jett then ended the game, as he hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Ramirez.
The Redbirds will wrap up their 2008 season when they face Indiana State in the series finale Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m. EST.
