PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Daniel Dwyer hit a two-out, go-ahead single in the top of the ninth inning and Ryan Koziol picked up the save to preserve the win for Illinois State starter Jacob Hendren Saturday as the Redbirds picked up a 2-1 win over Georgetown at the Snowbird Classic.
Hendren pitched eight strong innings, including seven scoreless frames after allowing a single tally in the bottom of the first. Koziol then stranded a pair of baserunners to end the game, inducing a groundout to seal the victory.
"It was a low-scoring game, of course, and it was a pitcher's paradise today," said Illinois State head coach Bo Durkac. "We've played at some launching pads this year, but today with the wind blowing in, there were a lot of hard-hit balls by both teams that didn't go anywhere. We have to be able to play in those games – and win those games – and we did."
Georgetown (1-7) scored its only run of the game in the first inning when Nick Collins plated Austin Shirley with a two-out single. Hendren settled in after that, however, scattering seven hits and walking just one batter over eight innings. He struck out six.
Illinois State (6-5) tied the game in the sixth inning when Dennis Colon scored Koziol, who had drawn a leadoff walk, with an RBI groundout.
In the ninth, the Redbirds started their rally to take the lead with two outs. Jack Czeszewski singled through the right side of the infield, before Blake Molitor moved Czeszewski to third with a single up the middle. Dwyer then drove in the winning run with a single through the left side on a 1-2 pitch.
Koziol allowed a leadoff single to start the bottom of the ninth, but struck out two and intentionally walked a batter before getting out of the inning with the groundout to third.
The Redbirds return to action Sunday for their final game at the Snowbird Classic, against Bucknell. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT.
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