ISU tops in-state rival Western Illinois 1-0

[May 12, 2012]  NORMAL -- On Friday evening, the Illinois State baseball team (27-16) took a break from its conference schedule and hosted in-state rival Western Illinois (15-31-1) at Duffy Bass Field. The Redbirds won the first game of the three-game series 1-0, thanks to a RBI single by Eric Aguilera in the sixth.

On the mound, Chris Razo got his 13th start of the season and went nearly seven innings without allowing a run, striking out six Leatherneck batters. Razo's record improves to 5-4 on the season. Justin Hauer came in for relief and recorded a strikeout, while Kenny Long stepped on the mound in the ninth to retire the side, ending the game and recording his 10th save of the season.

The Redbird attack was led by Zac Johnson, who was 2 of 4 at the plate and scored ISU's lone run. Mike Hollenbeck, Matt Mirabal and Kevin Tokarski, along with Aguilera each tallied a hit in the game.

Illinois State and Western Illinois got runners on early, as each team loaded the bases in its half of the first inning, but couldn't push any runs across. The Redbirds and the Leathernecks were scoreless until ISU got on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Johnson hit a double off the left-field wall and advanced to third on a fly ball to right field by Kyle Stanton. Aguilera singled through the right side and drove in Johnson. Western Illinois got two runners on in the top of the seventh, but couldn't produce any runs, as Illinois State went on to win 1-0.

ISU and WIU will be back on the field Saturday, with the first pitch is slated for 2 p.m.

[Text from news release received from Lauren Hutchcraft, assistant athletics communications director, Illinois State University]