March 27, 2010
Box Score
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Matt Mirabal drove in two runs in the top of the ninth inning and Kenny Long pitched a scoreless bottom half to earn his third save in three games as Illinois State rallied past Indiana State, 8-7, while clinching a Missouri Valley Conference series win at Bob Warn Field Saturday. The Sycamores took the second game, 9-3.
Mirabal, who collected a career-high five RBI in the contest, singled up the middle with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning to erase a one-run deficit and put Illinois State (11-10, 2-1 MVC) on top before Long struck out two and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the ninth to close the out the win over the Sycamores (14-7, 1-2 MVC).
Kevin Tokarski was 3-for-3 in the game and scored four times off the bat of Mirabal in the first game, including the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth. Illinois State trailed Indiana State, 7-6, heading into the final frame but caught a break on a dropped third strike to leadoff batter Josh Colon. Tokarski and Chad Hinshaw both reached on walks setting up Mirabal's screamer up the middle, his third hit of the game.
Indiana State scored five runs in the second inning off Illinois State starter Ryan Camp, but the Redbirds chipped away at the lead with single runs in the third and fourth innings, and a three run outburst to tie the game at 6-6 in the sixth. Jim Sajewich held the Sycamores in check through four innings of relief, but was tagged with an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh, setting the scene for the late inning rally. JD Learnard pitched a scoreless eighth inning and collected his first collegiate win.
Ryan Strausborger and Ben Ferrell each had three hits in the loss for Indiana State, part of a 12 hit effort from the Sycamores. Joe Rodriguez struck out six in eight innings for Indiana State before leaving with the lead. Tyler Browning was tagged with the loss out of the bullpen.
In the second game, Tokarski clubbed three more hits and scored two runs but the Redbirds couldn't mount another comeback after falling behind during another second-inning explosion for Indiana State. The Sycamores plated four runs in the second off Redbird starter Ryan Copeland and knocked 17 hits total while salvaging the split.
Tokarski walked and was driven in by Jake Thornton in the fourth inning to cut the lead to 4-1, but the Sycamores answered with two more runs in the bottom half of the inning. Tokarski led off the seventh inning with a double and was driving in by Mirabal, one of two runs for the Redbirds in that inning, but again, the Sycamores answered with a pair of runs in the bottom half. Indiana State added another run in the eighth to complete the scoring.
Tokarski went 3-for-3 in the second game to cap a 6-for-6 day at the plate. He scored six runs total and reached in all 10 plate appearances. Tokarski, a redshirt sophomore, swiped three bases in the first game and moved into third place on the Illinois State career stolen base chart with 49 career stolen bases. Mirabal had two more hits in the second game, for a five-hit day at the ballpark.
Indiana State's Jason Van Skike earned the win after scattering six hits over 6.1 innings. He struck out six and surrendered all three runs - though one was unearned. Strausborger was 4-for-5 in the second game, one of five Sycamores with multiple hits. Kyle Burnam and Grant Grgurich each had three hits for Indiana State.
The Redbirds return home Tuesday night for a midweek match-up with in-state rival Illinois at Duffy Bass Field, starting at 6 p.m. The game against the Illini is "Pack the Stadium Night" presented by the Student Government Association. Illinois State students with "Pack the Stadium" coupons will receive free admission to the game, and the first 200 students through the gate will receive a free hot dog, chips and a drink.
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