Dan Savas picked up his first victory of the season, striking out six batters.
Box Score
March 8, 2013
WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Kyle Stanton reached base three times and was one of three Redbirds to drive home two runs, as Illinois State (4-6) defeated LIU Brooklyn (0-7), 6-3, Friday night at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational Tournament in Winter Haven, Fla.
Dan Savas (1-0) worked five innings, allowing one earned run, and struck out six. Jeremy Rhoades pitched 1.2 innings with three strike outs and Chris Razo (3) fanned one in the ninth inning for his third save. LIU Brooklyn starter Justin Topa (0-3) allowed six earned runs in three innings for the loss.
Stanton's two out, two-run single in the first inning to put Illinois State ahead early, 2-0.
The Blackbirds added one run in the third on John Ziznewski's RBI-single.
Chad Hinshaw and Brock Stewart each added two-run hits for the Redbirds in the third inning, putting Illinois State in front, 6-1.
LIU Brooklyn cut the deficit to 6-3 in the seventh inning and put men on second and third with one out, before Rhoades struck out Albert Faz and Mark Hernandez to end the threat.
Chris Razo enduced a game-ending double play to close out the victory.
The Redbirds return to Chain of Lakes Park Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. first pitch against Miami University. Will Headean (0-2, 4.26 ERA) faces Brooks Fiala (0-2, 6.23 ERA).
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
