May 12, 2010
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. - Eastern Illinois starting pitcher Troy Barton scattered two hits over five innings and limited Illinois State to one run as the Redbirds fell, 6-1, in their final non-conference game of the season at Duffy Bass Field Wednesday.
Illinois State (24-19) struck out 10 times in the contest, including seven times against Barton who earned his second win of the season for Eastern Illinois (15-31). Redbird starter Ryan Camp worked around a bases loaded jam in the first inning and threw four scoreless before giving up a pair of runs in the fifth. Camp left the game after allowing another run in the sixth and was tagged with the loss.
Ryan Court delivered Illinois State's only run of the game by driving in Anthony Ruffolo on a ball that took an awkward bounce off the third baseman's glove before settling just outside of the infield. It was one of four hits in the game for the Redbirds and gave Illinois state a 1-0 lead.
Eastern Illinois' Richie Derbak drew a two-out walk and Ben Thoma followed with a single in the fifth inning, setting up a go-ahead, two-RBI double for Ben Thoma. The hit would eventually prove to be the game winner, though the Panthers added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, and two more in the eighth.
Illinois State reliever Jim Sajewich made the 86th appearance of his career to move into a tie for the all-time lead in pitching appearances and retired the final two batters in the sixth inning. He was one of four Redbird relievers to throw in the game.
Redbird second baseman Kevin Tokarski saw his season-best 11-game hitting streak come to an end when he went 0-for-4 in the contest. Tokarski, who entered the contest as the nation's leader in batting average and on-base percentage, failed to reach base for just the second time in 40 games this season. Josh Colon, Mark Evans and Ruffolo each joined Court with hits in the game.
Eastern Illinois was led offensively by Borenstein, who reached in all four plate appearances and finished the game 3-for-3. Cam Strang also had a multiple hit night and went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Brent McNeil and Matt Miller combined to strike out five in four scoreless innings of relief for the Panthers.
Illinois State concludes the home portion of its schedule when the Redbirds return to Missouri Valley Conference action against Bradley at Duffy Bass Field this weekend (May 14-16). The Redbirds have won four of five Missouri Valley Conference series, including sweeps of Creighton, Southern Illinois and Missouri State, and are the first place team in the league standings at 12-3.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, TRC gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
