March 11, 2011
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Post-Game Interview
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -
Corey Maines pitched 6.1 shutout innings, striking out eight batters and walking just two, as Illinois State beat Ohio State, 12-1, Friday afternoon at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational in Winter Haven, Fla. Offensively, Kevin Tokarski was a perfect 3-for-3 with one run and one RBI. The Redbirds (9-4) have won seven of their last eight games.
"Once again, I think our pitchers really set the tone," said head coach Mark Kingston. "Maines, Justin Hauer and Cam Verbeke really pitched out of some jams. They came up with some big strikeouts and only allowed Ohio State to score one run, and our offense also performed well."
After a scoreless first inning, Illinois State scored three runs in the second frame. Ryan Court began the early rally with a single, followed by back-to-back walks issued to Mike Hollenbeck and Tyler McNeely. With the bases loaded, Bryan Huff drove in Court with a fielder's choice to give ISU the early advantage. Josh Colon plated another run with a fielder's choice that scored Hollenbeck, and Tokarski singled-home McNeely.
The Redbirds added two more runs in the third inning, as Matt Mirabal scored on a throwing error, and Zach Amrein came home on a ground-out by Bryan Huff. Amrein then plated Mirabal with a triple, ISU's first three-bagger of the season.
Illinois State scored three more times in the sixth and seventh innings, beginning in the sixth when Court was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing home Tokarski. The Buckeyes forced in another run as Hollenbeck walked, scoring Chad Hinshaw. ISU extended its lead to, 9-0, with a McNeely fielder's choice that drove home Mirabal.
In the seventh, Amrein singled to score Hinshaw, and Court plated Amrein and Mirabal with a triple to increase Illinois State's lead to 12-0. Ohio State did not get on the board until the eighth inning, when Ryan Cypret singled to plate Josh Dezse.
ISU now leads the all-time series with Ohio State, 1-0. The Redbirds continue at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational in Winter Haven, Fla., as the Redbirds will play Miami (Ohio), Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
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