March 7, 2010
Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Kent State scored seven runs in the fifth inning and held off a pair of late rally attempts by Illinois State as the Golden Flashes topped the Redbirds, 7-4, on the final day of the Music City Classic at Hawkins Field Sunday.
Kent State (5-5) ended a four-inning pitcher's duel between KSU starter David Starn and Illinois State's Ryan Camp while erupting for seven runs and batting around the lineup in the fifth inning. Illinois State (4-5) scored three runs in the sixth and added another in the seventh, but stranded six batters over the final three innings to drop its third-consecutive decision.
Camp scattered two hits through the first four innings for the Redbirds before being tagged for the seven runs on six hits in the fifth. Starn was equally impressive early and limited Illinois State to one hit through five innings while striking out five Illinois State batters.
Kevin Tokarski and Chad Hinshaw finally solved Starn in the sixth with back-to-back singles to lead off the inning and scored on a triple by Zach Amrein. Gabe DeMarco drove in Amrein with a two-out single to complete the Redbirds' scoring. Illinois State added a run in the bottom of the seventh but left the bases loaded after Kent State reliever Brett Weibley entered the game and struck out Ryan Court.
Weibley kept the Redbirds at bay in the eighth and ninth and to earn his first save of the season. Illinois State reliever Kenny Long retired all 13 batters he faced, including three on strikeouts in 4.1 scoreless innings.
The Redbirds continue their eight-game, spring road trip and travel to Gainesville, Fla., for a two-game series with No. 5 Florida (March 9-10).
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