Dallas Baptist Defeats Illinois State, 4-1, In Valley Title Game

[May 26, 2014]  TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Dallas Baptist (40-19) tallied four unanswered runs to come-from-behind and defeat Illinois State (33-22), 4-1, in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship title game. The loss brought to close the 2014 Illinois State season, which saw the Redbirds advance to the Valley title game for the second-consecutive season.

Brock Stewart knocked his second home run this week, a solo shot in the second inning, to give Illinois State an early 1-0 lead. Dallas Baptist tied the game on a solo home run from Austin Listi in the seventh inning. Drew Turbin’s three-run triple in the eighth inning proved to be the game-winner.

Dan Savas (8-5) allowed four runs, all earned, in seven-plus innings of work for the loss. He struck out three and walked five. Jeremy Rhoades worked 2.0 scoreless innings in relief. Brandon Koch (8-0) earned the win in relief for Dallas Baptist. He worked 0.2 innings with two strikeouts and one walk. Paul Voelker (1) closed off the ninth inning for the save.

Savas cruised to 6.1 scoreless innings before Listi’s solo shot tied the game in the seventh inning. Savas then retired the next two batters to end the frame. He walked consecutive-hitters to open the eighth inning and surrendered an infield single to load the bases with no outs. Rhoades replaced Savas, but Turbin’s sinking fly ball to left-center field slipped past a diving Sean Beesley to score three runs.

The Redbirds left 13 men on base, including bases-loaded situations in the fifth, seventh and ninth innings.

The loss brought to close the careers of five Illinois State seniors: Mike Hollenbeck, JD Learnard, Cam Verbeke, David Suarez and Cody Voelker.

Following the game, six Redbirds earned All-MVC Championship honors: Brock Stewart, Mike Hollenbeck, Mason Snyder, Logan Leverett, Dylan Craig and Daniel Dwyer.

End of Season overall

[Text received; RONAN O'SHEA, ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY]

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