May 4, 2008
Final Stats
NORMAL, Ill. -
In only his second start of the 2008 season, senior Eric Theisen delivered on the mound for the Illinois State baseball team. Theisen dealt a gem, as he allowed only one run on five hits in a season-high 7.2 innings of work to lead the Redbirds (21-24, 5-13) to a 5-1 win and a series victory over interstate I-74 rival Bradley Sunday at Duffy Bass Field. Theisen was relieved by sophomore Ryan Copeland, who rebounded from a sub-par outing Friday night and retired all three batters he faced to pick up his first-career save.
Theisen (5-4) finished the game with a season-high 103 pitches, as the right-hander walked three and struck out three. Theisen combined to throw 8.2 innings and allow only one run in the series, as he threw a scoreless ninth inning in the Redbirds' come-from-behind victory (16-12) Friday night.
"It was a great way to bounce back after the way we played defensively in the first two games of the series," said head coach Jim Brownlee. "I was really proud of our kids because we haven't beaten Bradley in a series in three years. Our first two starting pitchers kind of put us in a bind in regards to our bullpen, and you couldn't ask for anything more from Eric Theisen. He hasn't pitched more than two innings all year because he is still coming off an arm injury, but he really stepped up today and was unbelievable. I thought the way we played today is how we are capable of playing in the Valley. We have had a lot of injuries, but this team is pretty resilient.
"Eric had some easy innings, but he had some big pitches and we were able to record two double plays that ended their rallies. He really made some great pitches. We were able to execute in the first inning offensively, which relaxed everyone and we were able to pick up a big win."
The Redbirds were led in the batter's box by senior Kyle Cherney, who batted 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and two runs scored. Junior Kevin Dubler also had a solid day at the plate, as the catcher went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs. Illinois State was able to jump on BU starting pitcher Collin Brennan, who dropped to 0-3 after allowing four runs on five hits in four innings of work.
After Theisen retired the Braves in order in the top of the first, the Redbirds gave the right-hander support when they grabbed an early 3-0 lead. Junior Mike Stalowy led off the rally with a one-out walked, while Dubler moved him to third on a single to right field. Sophomore Anthony Ruffolo plated Stalowy on a RBI groundout, and moved Dubler into scoring position at second base. Cherney stepped up and delivered a deep fly to left center that left the park for a two-run round-tripper, his fourth of the season.
But Bradley was able to come back and cut into the lead in the top of the second, as designated hitter Jim Clayton recorded a one-out double and was brought home on left fielder Matt Brumleve's single to centerfield. The Redbirds would get that run back in the bottom half of the third, as Dubler led off the inning with a bloop-double to centerfield. Dubler moved to third on a wild pitch, and Cherney followed with walk to put runners on the corners with two outs. With freshman Ronnie Calvird at the plate, Cherney broke for second and drew a throw from catcher Nick Mitidiero, which allowed Dubler to break for home plate. BU second baseman Matt Fritz tried to relay the ball back to the plate, but it was not in time and both runners were safe on the play.
Theisen was able to shut down the Braves during the next four innings, until he ran into a little bit of trouble in the top of the eighth. The right-hander retired the first two batters of the frame on a groundout and a strikeout, but walked centerfielder Dan Brewer and gave up a single to right fielder Colby Luttrell to put two runners on with two outs. Copeland then came into the game and needed only two pitches to get out of the inning, as Brewer tried to steal third but was thrown out easily by Dubler.
Illinois State added its final run in the bottom half of the eighth, as Cherney led off with a double to right center and moved to third on a wild pitch. Calvird was then intentionally walked to put runners on the corners with one out. Freshman Corey Maines followed Calvird with a walk of his own to load the bases, while junior Quinn Ewert recorded the third walk of the inning to bring home Cherney.
The Redbirds will host in-state rival Southern Illinois in a three-game Missouri Valley Conference series, beginning Friday (May 9). First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.
