Savas, Redbirds blank SIU 2-0, earn share of MVC crown

[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.

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.

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.

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]