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 Illinois State (4-5) scored 10 runs over the first two innings of
Sunday’s contest, but Vanderbilt scored four runs in the fifth
inning and six runs in the sixth to tie the game. The hosts then
broke the tie with six more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning
to take the lead for good.
“It’s a frustrating one. It’s one of those deals, as a coach, that’s
one that’s going to stay with you forever,” said Illinois State head
coach Bo Durkac. “You’ve got the No. 1 team in the country on the
ropes and we couldn’t have played any better than we did for about
four innings, and then we just didn’t pitch it well, but give them
some credit. They squared up a lot of balls against our guys coming
out of the bullpen.”
The Redbirds got off to a fast start, plating four runs on five hits
in the first inning. Sean Beesley and Paul DeJong singled and later
scored on a two-run double from Mason Snyder. Ryan Koziol singled up
the middle to score Snyder, and Dennis Colon plated Koziol with
another single to cap the four-run first.
Illinois State did even more damage in the second innings, adding
six more runs. The Redbirds drew seven walks in the inning,
including a pair with the bases loaded. DeJong hit an RBI single and
Koziol knocked in a run with a double, as the Redbirds sent 12
batters to the plate. Vanderbilt (9-2) started its comeback in the
fifth inning, however, as Redbird starter Jack Landwehr loaded the
bases and Vanderbilt’s Zander Wiel hit a grand slam off ISU reliever
Matt Lambert. The hosts then added six more runs the following
inning off Redbird relievers Jake Sale and Steve Heilenbach.
The Commodores completed their comeback by tallying six runs in the
seventh inning off Heilenbach and Koziol. Mitch Vogrin pitched a
scoreless eighth inning for the Redbirds.
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DeJong and Koziol recorded two hits each for Illinois State, but the
entire Redbird lineup was held hitless between the third and eighth
innings. The Redbirds also committed four errors in the game.
Illinois State is back in action Friday, when it will play the first
of eight games in Florida. The Redbirds will play three games in
Port Charlotte, Florida, beginning with a game against St. Joseph’s
Friday. They will play a road game at Florida Atlantic on March 10,
before playing four more games in Winter Haven, Florida, finishing
up the eight-game trip on March 15.
The Redbirds’ home opener at Duffy Bass Field, against
Illinois-Chicago, is March 18.
[Matt Wing, Illinois State
University]
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