Redbirds sweep Redhawks for 7th straight win

[March 05, 2012]  CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- For the second consecutive game, the Illinois State offense scored seven runs in the sixth inning, helping the Redbirds beat Southeast Missouri 14-4 Sunday afternoon at Capaha Park. The Redbirds (7-3) swept their three-game series against the Redhawks (5-7).

"Our approach is to have good, professional at-bats," ISU head coach Mark Kingston said. "We like to work pitchers. When we get a good pitch, we're going to try to hammer it, and if we don't get a good pitch, we're going to try to take it and get pitch counts up. I thought we did a good job in our at-bats today."

Zac Johnson led Illinois State with four RBIs and three runs in a 1-for-2 effort with two walks and a home run. Matt Mirabal went 3 for 3 with two runs, one RBI and one walk. Right-hander Johnny Lieske (1-0) earned his first collegiate victory, pitching two shutout, hitless innings of relief for starter Dylan Craig. Craig allowed one earned run on four hits through the first four frames. Southeast Missouri's Zack Smith (1-2) suffered the loss.

After a scoreless first inning, ISU took a three-run lead in the second. Chad Hinshaw drove in three runs with a single and a SEMO fielding error. However, the Redhawks gained the advantage in the bottom of the frame. Cole Bieser drove home a run with a single and scored later on a wild pitch. An ISU throwing error let Jason Blum score, and a groundout by Taylor Heon plated Shane Blair.

A three-run home run by Johnson put the Redbirds in front again in the third inning. ISU added to its lead with an RBI double by Mirabal. The Redbirds scored seven more times in the sixth to take a 10-run advantage. Kyle Stanton was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Johnson walked to force in two more runs. Mike Hollenbeck then drove in three with a double, and Eric Aguilera capped off the scoring with a two-run home run.

After sweeping Southeast Missouri, the Redbirds begin their spring break trip at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational in Winter Haven, Fla., starting Friday against Maine, with a 1 p.m. CT first pitch scheduled.

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Report on doubleheader Saturday

Sunday game:

• Box score

• Play-by-play

Final season stats

[Text from file received from Illinois State]