Feb. 21, 2009
Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Belmont scored four runs with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to erase a 7-5 Illinois State lead and closer Jimmy Stanley retired the Redbirds in order in the ninth to preserve a 9-7 win for the Bruins at Greer Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Illinois State built a 6-4 lead after five innings with two runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings and added another in the eighth to lead 7-5, before Belmont rallied. Illinois State reliever Jim Sajewich got consecutive outs after surrendering a leadoff triple but walked the bases loaded. Kyle Nelson relieved Sajewich but walked in a run and surrendered a two-run double - and the lead. Belmont added a run on a wild pitch before the Redbirds could end the inning.
Gabe DeMarco and Anthony Ruffolo both collected two hits for Illinois State and were two of eight Redbird batters to get base hits. Ryan Court drove in a pair of runs to lead the Redbirds.
Nate Woods drove in three runs and Daniel Wagner finished 4-for-4 and a home run away from hitting for the cycle for Belmont. The Bruins used seven pitchers in the game, including Stanley who picked up his second save of the season.
Illinois State will close the four-game series against Belmont on Sunday at 1 p.m.
