April 2, 2010
Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Illinois State catcher Matt Mirabal clubbed three hits, threw out two base runners and picked off another, but a 15-strikeout, complete-game performance from Lipscomb's Josh Smith lifted the Bisons by the Redbirds, 5-3, at Dugan Field Friday night.
Mirabal went 3-for-4 in the game with a run scored and run batted in, but the Redbirds (12-11) couldn't overcome a strong effort from Smith, Lipscomb's ace. Corey Maines was tagged with his second loss of the season after giving up a season-high 11 hits in seven innings.
Lipscomb (8-18) scored one run in the first inning and added three more in the third after the first five batters of the inning reached on base hits. Smith retired the first nine batters in a row, but was tagged with back-to-back doubles from Kevin Tokarski and Matt Mirabal to begin the fourth. Mirabal's double to left center scored Tokarski, but he was thrown out at third trying to stretch it into a triple.
Illinois State scored two more runs, both with two outs in the sixth, on RBI singles by Jake Thornton and Anthony Ruffolo to cut the lead to one, but a solo home run from Andrew Nickerson in the bottom half made it 5-3, the eventual final score. Ryan Court doubled to lead off the ninth inning, but Smith struck out the final three batters to end the game.
Illinois State and Lipscomb meet again Saturday in a doubleheader starting at noon.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, TRC gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
