March 31, 2012
Box Score
Postgame Interview with Mark Kingston
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -
A ninth inning three-run home run by Mike Hollenbeck was the only offense Illinois State could muster in a 7-3 loss at Indiana State Saturday afternoon at Bob Warn Field. Indiana State (22-6, 3-2 Missouri Valley Conference) evened up the three-game series against the Redbirds (17-7, 1-1), with the rubber game set for Sunday at noon CT.
"This was a tough day for us," Illinois State head coach Mark Kingston said. "Indiana State did just about everything better than we did today. Tip your cap to their starting pitcher who did a nice job. But I know we will be ready to come out tomorrow ready to go."
Sycamore starter Sean Manaea (3-1) registered a career-high 12 strikeouts with one earned run allowed on three hits through 8.1 innings. Starting pitcher Brad Sorkin (1-2) suffered the Redbird loss, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits and striking out four through seven innings. Johnny Lieske pitched a scoreless and hitless eighth inning of relief.
With a walk to lead off the game, Illinois State second baseman Kevin Tokarski set the Illinois State career-walks record during Saturday's game. He now has 142 career-walks, while former leader Ryan Duncheon had 141.
Indiana State plated two runs in the bottom of the first inning on a two-RBI single by Jon Hedges. The Sycamores added another run in the fifth with a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Lucas. Then in the sixth inning, Indiana State scored three more runs. Koby Kraemer doubled-home one run, and Kyle Burnam plated two with a single. The Sycamores took a 7-0 lead in the seventh with a leadoff home run by Robby Ort.
The Redbirds were held scoreless until the ninth inning, when Matt Mirabal and Zac Johnson each walked, and Hollenbeck hit a home run over the right field wall to cut Indiana State's lead to 7-3.
With the three-game series finale scheduled for Sunday afternoon, Illinois State will go for the series win. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT, with live coverage available on WHOW 1520 AM / 92.3 FM and GoRedbirds.com and WJBC.com.
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