Central Michigan University Athletics
Costly Fourth Burns Chippewas in 10-6 Setback
3/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
NORMAL, Ill. -- A shaky inning fueled by two Central Michigan errors led to an eight-run third as Illinois State won the third and final game of the weekend series, 10-6, at Duffy Bass Field on Sunday.
The Chippewas (7-8) took an early 1-0 lead in the first, but after the Redbirds (8-9) tied it in the second, a two-error inning kept the third inning alive and ISU capped off the punishment with a two-out grand slam.
After CMU starting pitcher Jake Sabol nearly minimized the damage with a strikeout of Kevin Tokarski for the second out, Anthony Ruffolo lifted a 3-2 pitch over the fence in right for the big blow.
"We were a pitch away from getting out of the inning with minimized damage, but we couldn't come up with that pitch," head coach Steve Jaksa said. "We were able to bounce back, but we just needed to find a way to put a little more pressure on them down the stretch. Our pitching held them off the rest of the way, but we just couldn't sustain that offensive effort."
The Maroon and Gold responded with four of their own in the fifth, loading the bases on three straight singles by Dale Cornstubble, Nate Theunissen, and Tyler Kipke. Ricky Clark drew a two-out walk to bring in Cornstubble, and Robbie Harman cleared the bases with a double to draw the Chippewas back within three, 9-6, but the Redbirds would hold on over the final five innings.
Sabol (2-2) took the loss to even up his record, giving up 10 hits over three innings including nine runs (four earned) and struck out five.
Dietrich Enns came on in relief to toss the final five innings, fanning six. He walked four and gave up a solo home run.
Ryan Camp recorded the win for ISU, scattering six hits over five innings. He surrendered five runs while fanning five and walking two.
CMU returns to the diamond on Wednesday at Bowling Green. The Chippewas and Falcons, who do not face during Mid-American Conference play, will square off in a nonconference tilt.
The Chippewas (7-8) took an early 1-0 lead in the first, but after the Redbirds (8-9) tied it in the second, a two-error inning kept the third inning alive and ISU capped off the punishment with a two-out grand slam.
After CMU starting pitcher Jake Sabol nearly minimized the damage with a strikeout of Kevin Tokarski for the second out, Anthony Ruffolo lifted a 3-2 pitch over the fence in right for the big blow.
"We were a pitch away from getting out of the inning with minimized damage, but we couldn't come up with that pitch," head coach Steve Jaksa said. "We were able to bounce back, but we just needed to find a way to put a little more pressure on them down the stretch. Our pitching held them off the rest of the way, but we just couldn't sustain that offensive effort."
The Maroon and Gold responded with four of their own in the fifth, loading the bases on three straight singles by Dale Cornstubble, Nate Theunissen, and Tyler Kipke. Ricky Clark drew a two-out walk to bring in Cornstubble, and Robbie Harman cleared the bases with a double to draw the Chippewas back within three, 9-6, but the Redbirds would hold on over the final five innings.
Sabol (2-2) took the loss to even up his record, giving up 10 hits over three innings including nine runs (four earned) and struck out five.
Dietrich Enns came on in relief to toss the final five innings, fanning six. He walked four and gave up a solo home run.
Ryan Camp recorded the win for ISU, scattering six hits over five innings. He surrendered five runs while fanning five and walking two.
CMU returns to the diamond on Wednesday at Bowling Green. The Chippewas and Falcons, who do not face during Mid-American Conference play, will square off in a nonconference tilt.
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