Timely hitting keys Illinois State win

[April 04, 2012]  NORMAL -- Illinois State's Zac Johnson drove home four runs, as the Redbirds rattled off nine unanswered, two-out runs in a rain-shortened 9-1 nonconference victory Tuesday over Eastern Illinois at Duffy Bass Field. ISU senior Kevin Tokarski set the school record for career runs scored with two more in the win.

Eastern Illinois (11-15) plated the first run of the game in the first inning, after Ryan Dineen scored as David Ciaglia grounded into a double play. The Panthers kept Illinois State at bay until two outs in the bottom of the third inning. Matt Mirabal singled to send Chad Hinshaw home, while Johnson followed with a double down the right-field line to score Mirabal and Tokarski.

Illinois State (18-8) added to its lead in the fourth inning with six more two-out runs. Ty Weismeyer singled home Brett Kay, before Johnson's single scored both Mirabal and Weismeyer. Mike Hollenbeck and Kyle Stanton followed with a pair of doubles to drive three more runs home.

Jeremy Rhoades, who was slated to throw only two innings, pitched four strong innings to earn the victory. His record improved to 3-1 on the season after allowing only three hits and an earned run, while striking out three. EIU's Andrew Grahn suffered the loss and fell to 0-3 on the year.

Tokarski, Wiesmeyer and Johnson led the way for the Redbirds with two hits each. After crossing the plate twice, Tokarski surpassed Seth Von Behren in the Illinois State record book for career runs scored. The ISU second baseman now has 186 career runs.

Illinois State returns to action and Missouri Valley Conference play Friday, when the Redbirds begin a three-game series against Wichita State at Duffy Bass Field. The opening game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. first pitch.

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[Text from file received from Illinois State]