May 2, 2009
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NORMAL, Ill. - Matt Mirabal went 3-for-4 and scored one of just two Illinois State runs as Creighton handed the Redbirds a 12-2 loss at Duffy Bass Field Saturday afternoon. On the day the Illinois State Athletics Department officially dedicated the new stadium at Duffy Bass Field, the Redbirds were out-hit 17-8 and dropped their sixth-consecutive game.
Mirabal notched Illinois State's first hit off Creighton (27-18, 13-3 MVC) starter Jonas Dufek in the third inning and later scored the team's first run on an RBI double by Gabe DeMarco. The Redbirds (19-18, 9-9 MVC) added another run in the fourth after Ryan Court drove in Mike Stalowy, but the Bluejays remained on top with a 5-2 lead.
Creighton scored seven runs - six earned - against Illinois State starter Corey Maines, who was lifted in the sixth inning. Maines entered the competition in the top-50 in the nation in hits allowed per nine innings, but was tagged for eight hits in 5.1 innings of work Saturday.
Dufek scattered seven hits over six innings of work to earn his fourth win of the season. Every batter in the Creighton lineup had a base hit, including Robbie Knight and Darin Ruff, who each had three. Elliot Soto led the Bluejays with four RBI, and Scott Thornburg scored three runs.
Gabe DeMarco turned in a multi-hit performance for ISU with a 2-for-4 effort as the designated hitter. Collin Salzenstein returned to the lineup for the first time since injuring his shoulder before the Southern Illinois game last Sunday. He went 1-for-3 and drew a walk.
Illinois State drew its largest crowd of the season as 823 fans turned out for the stadium dedication. The Redbirds and Bluejays conclude the series Sunday at 1 p.m., with Ryan Copeland (3-5, 3.36 ERA) throwing for Illinois State against Greg Hellhake (5-1, 3.72 ERA).
