Feb. 17, 2007
ARLINGTON, Texas – The Illinois State baseball team shocked the Lobos (3-5) this afternoon, handing them a 9-0 loss in their third game of the Hilton Arlington UTA Invitational. The Redbirds outhit New Mexico 17-5 and held the Lobos scoreless for the first time this season.
Junior Stephen Smith took the mound to start for New Mexico, getting the first two batters he faced to ground out. But the third batter, Kevin Dubler, reached on a throwing error by senior first baseman Daniel Stovall, leading to two unearned runs on a double down the left line by Ryan Anetsberger.
Illinois State added another run in the second and third, holding a 4-0 lead after three. UNM’s offense struggled early, pounding out just two hits in the first third of the game.
After a scoreless fourth for the Redbirds, Dubler led off the fifth with a triple to right and scored in the next at bat, a sacrifice fly by Matt Bolt. In the eighth, Illinois State added four more runs on seven hits.
The Lobos tried to rally in the ninth, loading the bases after sophomore Chad Itokazu and senior Jay Russell drew walks and freshman Bret Fanning singled in his first at bat. But junior Jordan Pacheco hit into a fielder’s choice as Anetsberger made the unassisted out at third to end the game.
Illinois State’s starter, right-handed Eric Theisen, earned the win, allowing just four hits while striking out nine in 7.0 innings. Smith (0-2) suffered his second loss, giving up 12 hits, eight runs (six earned), a walk and four strikeouts in 7.0 innings. Junior Adam Skelton threw a one-hit, two-strikeout inning of relief, hurling the ninth for New Mexico.
At the plate, freshman Derek Pilkington was the only Lobo to record multiple hits, going 2-for-4. Freshman Scott Gracey was 1-for-2, Fanning was 1-for-1 and Russell was 1-for-3 with two walks. For Illinois State, Anetsberger was 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run while Dubler was 3-for-5 with a RBI and three runs scored.
New Mexico concludes action at the Hilton Arlington UTA Invitational tomorrow with the tournament host, Texas-Arlington. First pitch is slated for 3:30 p.m. CT/2:30 p.m. MT.