Dallas Baptist takes two from Redbirds at Duffy Bass Field

[April 08, 2014]  NORMAL — Dallas Baptist (23-7, 4-0 Missouri Valley Conference) swept Illinois State 2-1 and 9-1 Saturday afternoon at Duffy Bass Field to claim a Valley series. The Redbirds looked to salvage the finale Sunday afternoon.

Game one recap

Justin Wall’s two-run home run in the fourth inning was all the offense Dallas Baptist needed to defeat the Redbirds 2-1 in game one. Dan Savas (7-1) allowed two runs on five hits to suffer his first defeat over his last 18 decisions. Savas struck out seven and walked two.

The Patriots loaded the bases with only one out in the first inning, but Savas secured an inning-ending double play to close the threat. The game remained 0-0 until the fourth inning. Daniel Salters singled to right center to lead off the fourth inning, and Wall powered a home run over the fence in right field to take an early 2-0 lead.

The Redbirds scored their lone run in the seventh inning. With two outs, Jack Czeszewski doubled to the alley. Dennis Colon then walked, and they both advanced 90 feet on a wild pitch. Czeszewski then scored on another wild pitch to pull ISU within one. It’s as close as the Redbirds would get.

In the ninth inning, Colon singled and Brock Stewart singled to right field, advancing Colon to second. With runners at second and third and one away, the Patriots struck out Dylan Johnson and Sean Beesley to secure the 2-1 defeat.

Paul Voelker (5-2) earned the win. He allowed one run on four hits in 6.2 innings of work. Brandon Koch (4) worked the final 2.1 innings for the save.

Game two recap

Dallas Baptist secured a pair of three-run innings en route to a 9-1 victory over Illinois State in game two. Jeremy Rhoades (2-3) allowed seven runs, four earned, in six innings. He struck out eight and walked three. Cy Sneed (5-1) earned the victory for DBU. The right-hander allowed one run on five hits in six innings of work.

K.J. Alexander scored on a wild pitch off Rhoades to give the Patriots a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Dallas Baptist took advantage of a throwing error by Rhoades to plate three in the fourth inning.

 Mason Snyder opened the Redbird fifth inning with a hit-by-pitch and later scored on Beesley’s run-scoring triple.

Dallas Baptist put the game away with three runs in the sixth inning and one run each in the seventh and eighth frames.

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(See the Sunday game report.)

[Text from news release received from Illinois State University]