May 11, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. - Mike Stalowy's mother doesn't work in the marketing office for Illinois State, Notre Dame or the Joliet Jackhammers, but Crystal Pasdertz has been doing a pretty good Don King impression while promoting Tuesday night's 6:30 p.m. game between the schools at Silver Cross Field in Joliet, Ill. Whether it's buying tickets or encouraging others to do so, Pasdertz wants to make the senior second baseman's return to his hometown a memorable one.
"My mom's done a good job contacting people that I've had the opportunity to play with - a lot of coaches that have coached me and a lot of people that have made a big difference in my life," Stalowy said. "It's going to be a really big game for me - physically and emotionally because it's coming down to the end of my career. I've only got five games left in the regular season. To pretty much end my career in Joliet, where it all started, and to be with all the people who helped me get to where I am, is going to be really special."
Stalowy and the Redbirds (21-20, 11-11 MVC) won't be done after matching up with the Fighting Irish for the second time this season, however. Aside from the game at Valparaiso Wednesday, and a three-game series with SIU-Edwardsville at Duffy Bass Field this weekend, Illinois State has qualified for its first State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament since 2001 - a feat that would have been impossible without Stalowy's contributions.
Stalowy, who attended Joliet Catholic, has found a home at second base and forms a formidable senior tandem with shortstop Collin Salzenstein up the middle. Leaders on defense and off the field, the duo also lead the Redbirds in batting. Stalowy earned Missouri Valley Player of the Week honors earlier this season and led the team in batting average before Salzenstein's eight-hit outburst against Bradley over the weekend bumped his number to .327. Stalowy is batting a career-best .323 with two home runs and a team-high four triples. His .983 fielding percentage is tops on the infield and he leads ISU with 11 steals.
Stalowy isn't the player making a homecoming Tuesday night. Notre Dame pitcher Steve Sabatino hails from nearby Lockport, Ill., but don't look for a match-up between the two - Sabatino pitched 7.1 innings in a 5-3 win over Western Michigan Monday. That win bumped Notre Dame's overall record to 30-20 and the Fighting Irish have won four of their last five games. Jeremy Barnes leads the team with a .358 batting average, 10 home runs and 57 RBI. AJ Pollock hit two home runs against the Broncos Monday and is batting .355 with 15 doubles.
Kenny Long (1-0, 6.86 ERA) is penciled in as Illinois State's starter, while Notre Dame will counter with Joe Spano (1-1, 4.86 ERA). Illinois State won the previous meeting between the schools, 3-2, at the Notre Dame Irish Classic March 12 in San Antonio, Texas.
Illinois State will travel to Valparaiso Wednesday for a 3 p.m. start, where Ryan Camp (4-3, 4.90 ERA) is expected to pitch against the Crusaders' John Snelten (3-3, 4.31 ERA). Valparaiso is 27-21 overall and 12-10 in the Horizon League, thanks largely to senior catcher Matt Lenski and his .418 batting average and 41 RBI.
Illinois State closes the regular season portion of its schedule with a three-game series at home against SIU-Edwardsville (May 15-17). Prior to Saturday's 4 p.m. contest, Illinois State Athletics will honor the Redbirds' 1969 College Division National Championship Team and celebrate its 40th anniversary.
