May 10, 2012
Untitled Document
Nine Illinois State seniors will play their final games at Duffy Bass Field this weekend, as the Redbirds finish the home schedule with a three-game, non-conference series against Western Illinois, beginning Friday at 4:30 p.m. Illinois State's senior day will take place during Sunday's series finale.
"As we head toward the end of the regular season, our goal continues to be improvement," Redbird head coach Mark Kingston said. "We want to keep getting better and play the game as hard as we can."
ISU (26-16) has won four-straight games, after sweeping Missouri Valley Conference foe Southern Illinois last weekend. The three-game sweep lifted the Redbirds from seventh in the Valley standings to third, behind Missouri State and Indiana State. Western Illinois (15-30-1) split a four-game series with Summit League opponent IPFW last weekend in Macomb, Ill.
The Redbirds continue to lead the Valley in three offensive categories, including batting average (.302), on-base percentage (.396) and triples (13). ISU's offense also ranks seventh in the nation with 7.5 runs averaged per game this season, and Zac Johnson currently leads the Redbirds with a .346 average, including 42 RBI. Meanwhile Redbird center fielder Chad Hinshaw ranks first in the Valley with a .467 on-base percentage, and he is riding a season-best 22-game on-base streak.
Dan Dispensa tops Western Illinois with a .352 average, including 22 RBI. Additionally, ISU senior second baseman Kevin Tokarski will likely make his 200th career start Friday, which ranks third in the record book. Tokarski, who already holds the career-runs record, is also one-career run away from 200.
As productive as ISU's offense has been this season, Illinois State's pitching staff has looked just as sharp over the last few series. Last weekend against Southern Illinois, Chris Razo (0.00 ERA versus SIU), Justin Hauer (0.00 ERA), Brad Sorkin (1.17 ERA), Kenny Long (2.70 ERA) and Dylan Craig (5.40 ERA) teamed up to limit ISU's team ERA to 1.67 against one of the top offenses in the Valley. Illinois State also established a 7-to-21 walk-to-strikeout ratio.
This weekend the Redbirds will start the right-handed Razo (4-4, 5.15 ERA) against right-hander Dan Russell (3-5, 4.38 ERA) Friday, followed by the left-handed Craig (7-2, 5.08 ERA) versus left-hander Rich Mascheri (2-7, 3.29 ERA) Saturday. ISU's Sunday starter is still to be determined, while Western Illinois plans to start right-hander Dustin Hunter (4-4, 3.76 ERA).
Illinois State senior day will be celebrated during Sunday's 1 p.m. game. The day's events will include pre-game recognition of the seniors, and in conjunction with Mother's Day, each of the nine senior's moms will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to their senior. Admission to this weekend's series will be free, and live coverage will be available on WHOW 1520 AM / 92.3 FM, and on GoRedbirds.com and WJBC.com.
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