Feb. 20, 2010
Box Score
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Iowa used four home runs in a 19-run outburst over the final four innings to negate a quality start by Ryan Copeland and hand Illinois State its second-consecutive loss to open the 2010 season, 19-11, at Raymond C. Hand Park Saturday.
Copeland gave up just one hit in the game's first four innings and held the Hawkeyes (1-0) scoreless before surrendering a two-out, three-run home run to Chett Zeise in the top of the sixth. Copeland, who despite the home run left with a 7-3 lead, also struck out five during the second game of the Riverview Inn Classic.
Ziese's blast served as a wake-up call for the Iowa bats and the team completed the rally with a five-run seventh to take its first lead, 8-7. Illinois State (0-2) answered with four runs in the bottom half of the inning, but four more runs in the eighth and seven in the ninth put the game out of reach.
For the second consecutive game, the Redbirds were able to score first and build a multiple-run lead. Matt Mirabal collected the first of his two hits in the game while driving in Anthony Ruffolo for the Redbirds' first tally in the second inning. Illinois State added another single run in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Zach Amrein. The Redbirds increased the margin with two runs in the fourth and added three in the fifth, including two on an RBI single by Brett Kay.
Part of Illinois State's success was getting the leadoff batter on base. The Redbirds had the leadoff hitter reach in five of the first seven innings and scored in each of those frames. Four Illinois State relievers combined to allow 16 runs on 11 hits and issued five walks.
Iowa's Mike McQuillan accounted for the other two home runs in the game, one a grand slam in the eighth and one a two-run shot in the ninth. He finished the game with seven RBI and three hits. Kurtis Muller also had three hits for the Hawkeyes.
Kevin Tokarski (3), Chad Hinshaw (2) and Brett Kay (2) joined Mirabal with multiple hits for the Redbirds. Hinshaw, who drove in a team-best three runs and scored a pair, reached base five out of six times at the plate. In two games, the freshman has reached base in 10 of 11 plate appearances to yield a .909 on-base percentage.
Illinois State concludes play at the Riverview Inn Classic Sunday against tournament host Austin Peay, with the first pitch scheduled for noon.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, TRC gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
