May 17, 2008
Final Stats
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -
Junior Kevin Dubler went 4-for-5 with two home runs and five RBI but it wasn't enough, as the Illinois State baseball team (22-30, 6-18) surrendered five runs in the ninth inning and lost, 12-8, to Indiana State in the final game of a Missouri Valley Conference series Saturday afternoon at Sycamore Field. Dubler's two home runs were a career-high, while his five RBI tied his personal-best.
After struggling in the batter's box in the first two games of the series, the Redbirds broke out of their slump by scoring eight runs on 14 hits. Dubler led the way with his four hits, while junior Mike Stalowy went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore Anthony Ruffolo also had a productive day, both at the plate and on the base paths, as he batted 2-for-4 with a double and added three stolen bases, which set a new career-high. Junior Quinn Ewert was the fourth Redbird to record multiple hits in the game, as the left fielder went 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored.
Senior Tyler Cox settled down after struggling with his command in the first inning and kept the Redbirds in contention by throwing seven solid innings. Cox, who allowed four of his five total runs in the first inning, surrendered only four hits, while walking four and striking out two. Freshman Kyle Nelson suffered the loss, as the right-hander gave up seven runs on five hits in only one inning of work. The Sycamores were led by Brady Shoemaker, who went 3-for-4 with three home runs, two for grand slams, and tallied a career-high 10 RBI.
"Tyler Cox pitched very well today (Saturday), but Shoemaker had a big day with two grand slams," said head coach Jim Brownlee. "We had our chances, but we didn't have any timely hitting. Kevin Dubler had a big day, with two home runs and five RBI. We swung it pretty good, and Quinn also had a good day. He's a two-way player for us, and I think he will be a big part of our team next year."
The Redbirds held a slim, 8-7 margin heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. Sycamore right fielder Gary King led off with single, while second baseman Ryan Strausborger was walked to put two runners on with nobody out. Shortstop Pascual Del Real followed with a single to left field to plate King and tie the game at 8-8. But Indiana State was not done, as centerfielder Chris Schmidt reached on a bunt single to load the bases and set the stage for Shoemaker. The left fielder stepped up and took a 3-2 deep to centerfield for his third home run of the day and his second grand slam, which secured the series sweep for Indiana State.
The Redbirds got on the board first in the top half of the first inning, as Stalowy started the rally with a one out single to left field. Dubler then stepped up and roped a 1-0 pitch deep to right field, as the ball quickly left the yard for a two-run home run to give Illinois State an early 2-0 lead. But the Sycamores quickly erased the deficit, as the first three batters reached base in the bottom half of the frame, and Shoemaker delivered a grand slam home run to centerfield to give Indiana State a 4-2 margin.
Illinois State was able to come back in the top of the second and tie the game (4-4), as Ewert singled with two outs. Freshman Kevin Tokarski followed with a walk to put two runners on base, and Stalowy followed with his second-straight single to left field to bring home Ewert. Dubler also continued his fast start to the game, as he lined a single to right field to bring home Tokarski from second base.
The Redbirds re-gained the lead in the top of the fifth, as Dubler singled to centerfield with one out. Senior Kyle Cherney stepped up and roped the first pitch he saw and took it to the right centerfield gap, allowing Dubler to motor around from first base to give Illinois State a 5-4 advantage. Cherney's single, coupled with a walk to senior Kevin Konsler, forced Sycamore starting pitcher Micah Spencer out of the game. But the Redbirds missed an opportunity to add to their lead, as Indiana State right-hander David Gurbach came into the game and struck out the next Redbird batter to end the threat. Indiana State continued the back-and-forth-affair in the bottom of the fifth, as Strausborger hit a one-out triple to left center field and later scored on a groundout to third base.
But Ewert gave the Redbirds the advantage again in the top of the sixth, as the left fielder took a 0-0 pitch and lined it into left field for a solo home run, his fourth of the season. Tokarski followed with a stand-up triple to left centerfield, but was left stranded after the next two batters struck out to end the inning. Illinois State had another chance to add to the margin, after Ruffolo walked and stole both second and third bases to move into scoring position. Redshirt freshman Ryan Court followed with a walk to put runners on the corners, but the Sycamores brought in right-hander Brian Oliver, who forced the Redbirds to pop out to third to end the scoring opportunity.
After Cox was able to get out of a jam in the bottom half of the seventh, Dubler added to his strong day at the plate when he lined a shot to right field for his second home run of the day. Dubler's blast plated Stalowy, who reached base on a single, and gave the Redbirds some breathing room with an 8-5 lead. But the Sycamores came back in the bottom half of the inning, as Schmidt was walked to begin the inning. Nelson then game into the game, but served up a first-pitch fastball that Shoemaker took opposite field for a two-run home run to bring the Sycamores back into the game, 8-7.
The Redbirds had a chance to grab an insurance run in the top of the ninth, as Konsler led off with a double down the left field line. Court moved Konsler to third on a sacrifice bunt, however, Konsler tried to score on the play after he saw no one covering home plate. The Sycamores quickly re-grouped, as the Sycamore catcher ran back to the plate to receive the throw from first and tag Konsler out.
