Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Illinois State scored three runs in the sixth and added another in the seventh on the way to a 5-1 victory over Valparaiso on Tuesday afternoon in Bloomington, Ill.

The Redbirds jumped in front in the second, scoring an unearned run as the Crusaders tried to turn a double play.

Valpo tied the game in the top of the sixth. Michael Arensdorff (Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott H.S.) doubled to lead off the inning, the 12th time in 13 games the fifth-year senior has tallied at least one hit. Arensdorff came around to score on a single by Brian Rzepka (South Bend, Ind./Penn H.S.).

In the bottom of the inning, five singles plated three runs for Illinois State (9-9). Kevin Kosler's single to left drove in the first run of the frame, and proved to be the game-winner. The Redbirds tacked on an insurance run in the seventh on a fielder's choice to provide the final margin of victory.

Colin Reynolds (Crookston, Minn./Crookston H.S.) and Joe Lazar (Traverse City, Mich./Central H.S.) had two hits each for the Brown and Gold, which managed just six total for the contest. Jesse Griswold went 3-for-4 to lead the Redbirds.

Harvey Yergin (Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy) suffered the loss (0-2) for the Crusaders, working six innings allowing three earned runs and 10 hits. Mike Hlavacek (1-0) picked up the win for Illinois State, working six innings, allowing five hits and just the one run.

Valparaiso (2-11) will return to the diamond on Friday for the Crusaders' home opener at Emory G. Bauer Field as the Brown and Gold face Chicago State in a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for noon with all the action carried live on WVUR (95.1-FM, Valparaiso) and online at www.valpo.edu/athletics.