May 13, 2006

Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Illinois State baseball team took an early advantage in the second game of a three game weekend series with the Missouri State Bears on Saturday with a run in the first inning. However, that would be the lone run of the game for ISU (18-30, 8-12 MVC) as MSU (25-20, 11-8 MVC) starter Ross Detwiler shut down the Redbirds' offense for the remainder of the game on way to a 3-1 complete game victory in front of 1,632 fans at Hammons Field.

ISU starter Kitt Kopach (3-7) suffered the loss for the Redbirds after giving up eight hits that resulted in three runs in five innings of work. Freshman Dan Sorce pitched well in relief, though, allowing just one hit while striking out three MSU hitters in three innings on the mound. Detwiler (5-4) recorded his first complete game of the season in the win, allowing just six hits and one run.

ISU head coach Jim Brownlee was concerned with the level of play in Saturday's game.

"Their pitcher just got the better of us today," said Brownlee. "We had our chance in the first to really open up the score, but we could only push one run across the plate. After that, Detwiler took over and we just couldn't get the job done. We really didn't show a lot of emotion out there today and throughout the series so far, which I thought we would after the series win over Wichita State last weekend."

ISU scored quickly thanks to some good fundamental baseball. Matt Bolt led off the game with a single to right field and then advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Blake Schoonover. Ryan Anetsberger then singled to give the Redbirds runners on the corners with one out. Jesse Griswold followed with a walk to load the bases and then Bolt would score on a Kris Jenkins ground out to give ISU the early 1-0 lead.

The lead did not stay safe for long, though, as Clay Coulter hit a two-run home run to right field in the bottom of the first inning to give Missouri State a 2-1 lead. The next three innings would go scoreless for both teams before the Bears put a run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth on Brayden Drake's RBI single to left field to extend the lead to 3-1.

That score would hold up, as the Redbirds could not muster enough offense against Detwiler, who struck out a career-high 11 batters on way to the victory. Bolt led the way with three hits and a run scored for ISU and Jenkins picked up the lone RBI in the game for the Redbirds. Matt Lawson and Tim Rafferty each had two hits for the Bears in the win, while Coulter led tallied two RBI and scored a run.

Freshman Jim Sajewich (1-5) will take the mound in the 1:05 series finale for the Redbirds on Sunday at Hammons Field.