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Copeland, Cherney Ignite Redbirds' 8-5 Victory in Series Finale
Feb. 24, 2008
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Sophomore Ryan Copeland threw five innings of five-hit ball, and senior Kyle Cherney paced the Illinois State baseball team at the plate with a three-hit, three-RBI performance, as the Redbirds (1-2) defeated Tennessee Tech, 8-5, Sunday afternoon at Bush Stadium. The Redbirds' recorded 14 hits in the series finale, giving them double-digit hits in back-to-back games for the first time since April 27-28, 2007. Copeland (1-0) was sharp on the mound, allowing only two runs while walking none and striking out four. Copeland, who threw 56-of-82 pitches for strikes, also shut down the Golden Eagles' running game, as the Des Plaines, Ill., native had back-to-back pickoffs to end the second and third innings. Senior Eric Theisen threw 1.2 innings of two-hit ball to pick up the save, the first for the right-hander since 2005. Cherney's three hits (two doubles) led a group of five Redbirds with multiple-base knocks, as Kevin Dubler (2-for-4), Gabe DeMarco (2-for-4, HR), Corey Maines (2-for-5, RBI) and Kevin Konsler (2-for-5, 2 RBI) all pounded two hits in the Sunday's game. Freshman Kevin Tokarski was effective on the base paths, stealing three bases, with two coming in the top of the ninth inning. The Redbirds threatened in the top of the second, as Maines led off with his first-career double and Konsler followed by reaching on a fielder's choice. Sophomore Cole Marty, who made his first-career start in right field, moved both runners to second and third on a sacrifice bunt with one out. But the `Birds were unable to put anything on the board, after a strikeout and groundout ended the threat.
The Golden Eagles were able to score first, after putting a runner at second with two outs in the second. Second baseman Matt Mihoci was able to drop a base hit into right field, the first of four hits on the day, and the run scored after Marty bobbled the ball as he was getting ready to throw. Tennessee Tech added another run in the inning, giving the Golden Eagles a 2-0 advantage.
But the Redbirds got on the board during the top of the third, as freshman Ronnie Calvird reached on an error by third baseman Evan Webb, and moved to second as the throw got by the Golden Eagles' first baseman. DeMarco then hit a single into centerfield, but Calvird was called out on the play at the plate. However, DeMarco moved to second on a balk by starting pitcher Jared Dobbs (0-1), and Cherney brought DeMarco home via a RBI double over the centerfielder's head. Maines knotted the game when he hit his first-career triple into the right field corner that plated Cherney easily, and Konsler gave the `Birds their first lead with his first hit of the season, a double that bounced under the reach of Webb's glove down the third base line. Illinois State added two more runs in the fifth inning, after Cherney hit his second double to centerfield on the first pitch he saw from reliever Michael Alcon. The Crystal Lake, Ill., native scored the first run on Konsler's second-career triple, and Marty followed with his first-career RBI on a groundout to the first baseman. DeMarco added to his impressive day at the plate when he hit a towering, solo home run over the left field wall to lead off the top of the seventh inning. The Rockford, Ill., native's blast was the first of the season for the Redbirds and the first round-tripper of his career. Cherney added two insurance runs in the top of the eighth, hitting a two-out, two-run single to right field after the Redbirds loaded the bases with two outs. But the Golden Eagles got one run back when designated hitter Chris King led off the bottom half of the frame with a solo home run off Jacob Wielebnicki. Theisen then came into the game and ended the Golden Eagles' chances for a comeback. The Illinois State baseball team will travel to Clarksville, Tenn., to participate in the Austin Peay Tournament, Feb. 29-March 2. The Redbirds will play Indiana in their first game on Friday, with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. |
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