Savas, Redbirds blank SIU 2-0, earn share
of MVC crown
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[May 18, 2013]
CARBONDALE
-- Sophomore right-hander Dan Savas worked out of a bases-loaded
jam in the ninth inning, firing his fourth complete game of the season,
as Illinois State (35-18, 15-5 MVC) shut out Southern Illinois (24-30,
6-14 MVC) 2-0 on Friday afternoon at Abe Martin Field to clinch a share
of the regular season Missouri Valley Conference title. It marks the
Redbirds' first Valley championship since 2010, both under the guidance
of fourth-year head coach Mark Kingston.
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With a victory Saturday, the Redbirds will win an outright Missouri
Valley Conference championship for the first time in program
history. It would also secure a 36-win season, matching the Redbird
program record for most wins in a single season, set by Kingston's
2011 squad. A victory over the Salukis would also award the Redbirds
the top seed in next week's Missouri Valley Conference Championship,
which the Redbirds are hosting for the first time in program
history. The tournament will be May 21-25 at Duffy Bass Field.
Savas' complete-game gem came on the heels of Chris Razo's fifth
complete-game victory Thursday at SIU. Savas (9-0) allowed no runs
on four hits, with a season-best eight strikeouts and six walks.
With nine victories, Savas ties Steve Hecker and Corey Maines for
the most single-season wins by a pitcher since ISU baseball became
an NCAA Division I baseball program.
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SIU starter Sam Coonrod (3-5) suffered the loss, allowing two
runs, one earned, on two hits over six innings.
The Redbirds scored first, collecting a pair of runs without a
hit in the top of the first inning. Brett Kay opened the frame with
a walk and advanced to second when Chad Hinshaw reached on catcher's
interference. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position
with no outs. Zac Johnson grounded out to second, scoring Kay from
first to make it 1-0 Redbirds. Eric Aguilera followed with a
sacrifice fly to make it 2-0, capping the scoring in the first.
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At one point Savas retired 10 consecutive batters, cruising
into the ninth inning with six strikeouts. In the ninth, SIU
loaded the bases with one out. With closer Jeremy Rhoades
warming in the bullpen, the Redbirds stuck with Savas, who
induced a Luke Mottashed fly out to center for the second out.
Savas then struck out pinch hitter Brock Harding to secure the
win.
Hinshaw collected an additional milestone in the victory. With
one out in the eighth and Hinshaw at first base, the Redbird senior
outfielder successfully stole second base, surpassing Kevin Tokarski
to become the all-time Redbird leader in career stolen bases with
106. Hinshaw is 30 for 34 on the season.
The three-game MVC series concludes Saturday with a 1 p.m. first
pitch from Abe Martin Field. Live radio will be available on
GoRedbirds.com, WJBC.com and WZND 103.3-FM. Additionally, live video
is available through RedbirdHD.TV.
[Text from
news release received from
Illinois State University]
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