March 20, 2009
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. - Corey Maines hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning and lifted Illinois State to a, 3-2, Missouri Valley Conference-opening win over Evansville in the first game at the Redbirds' new stadium at Duffy Bass Field Friday.
Maines helped the Redbirds christen the fully renovated ballpark and gave Illinois State its fifth-consecutive win with a leadoff home run to left field against Evansville's Tom Heithoff. The blast gave Maines, who was dropped to ninth in the batting order for the first time this season, his first and only hit of the game.
"I wish they had a picture of the guys jumping around," Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee said about the ensuing celebration. "I didn't know if it was going to get out so I was watching the outfielder. When he jumped I knew it was going to get over. Our guys were so excited. Coming off of our spring trip, our chemistry is really good and we found a way to win today against a really good pitcher, who pitched great."
Evansville starter Wade Kapteyn and Illinois State starter Ryan Camp dueled to a scoreless tie through five innings before Greg Wallace put Evansville up 1-0 with a bases loaded single in the top of the sixth. Kapteyn cruised through the bottom half of the inning and looked nearly unhittable - surrendering just one hit through six innings while striking out six Redbirds.
Anthony Ruffolo notched Illinois State's second hit with one out in the bottom of the seventh and Ryan Court followed with an RBI double to tie the game. Kapteyn was chased from the contest but finished with seven strikeouts in 6.1 innings. Camp scattered five hits over six innings and struck out and walked three batters.
Evansville pushed ahead in the top of the ninth off Redbird reliever Jake Wielebnicki, who gave up a leadoff double to Greg Wallace. Wallace advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by pinch hitter, Trentt Copeland.
The Redbirds wouldn't let it end there. Evan Kohli walked to lead off the bottom of the ninth and after a strikeout by Ruffolo, Court, came up with a clutch hit again to move pinch runner Cole Marty to third base. A failed squeeze attempt by Matt Mirabal pushed the Redbirds to their final out, but a passed ball that squeaked by Matt Major allowed Marty to tie the game.
Illinois State pitcher Jim Sajewich worked around a leadoff walk in the top of the 10th to set the stage for Maines in the bottom half. Maines launched the fourth pitch from Heithoff over the fence to give the Redbirds their first walk-off home run since Kevin Dubler lifted ISU over Chicago State last season (April 20).
Court finished the game 2-for-4 and collected his team-leading 11th RBI of the season. Ruffolo's hit in the seventh, a liner off of Kapteyn's leg, extended his hitting streak to eight games.
Illinois State and Evansville continue the three-game series at 2 p.m. Saturday at Duffy Bass Field. The Redbirds will send Ryan Copeland (2-1, 1.24 ERA) to the mound against John Foley (1-0, 3.91 ERA).
