April 11, 2008

Box Score

NORMAL, Ill. -

                The University of Northern Iowa baseball team scored a run in the top of the ninth to edge Illinois State 2-1 Friday night at Duffy Bass Field. Guido Fonseca allowed just one run off three hits while striking out 10 in eight innings of work to move to 7-0 on the season.

                Brandon Douglas was 1-of-4 with a home run for the Panthers (18-10, 6-1). Travis Hendrix finished 1-of-3 and hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth to give UNI the lead.  Deric Manrique was 2-of-4 in the game for UNI, and Chris Lopez was 2-of-4 with a run scored for the Panthers.  Joe Gonzalez earned the save for UNI, his fifth of the year.

After Dan Weston drew a full-count walk to lead off the bottom of the third, Corey Maines hit a bunt single to move Weston to second and give the Redbirds (13-15, 3-7) runners at first and second with nobody out. Second baseman Cory Ege made a diving stab to grab a ground ball and start the double play, and Fonseca got Mike Stalowy to pop out to escape the inning without any damage.

                Travis Hendrix gave the Panthers their first runner in scoring position when he hit a two-out bunt single and advanced to second on a throwing error by ISU pitcher Ryan Copeland.  The Panthers were unable to convert, however, as a pop fly by Eddie Almonte ended the inning.

                Stalowy singled to lead off the bottom of the sixth. Kevin Tokarski advanced Stalowy with a sacrifice bunt. UNI elected to intentionally walk Kevin Dubler, and Gabe Demarco drew a walk to give the Redbirds bases loaded with one out. Fonseca struck out Kyle Cherney, but issued a walk to Ronnie Calvird to put ISU in front 1-0.  Fonseca struck out Quinn Ewert to end the inning.

                Brandon Douglas tied the game with a full-count solo home run to left center to lead off the top of the seventh. Brett Featherston was hit by a pitch with one out, and he stole second to give the Panthers a runner in scoring position. The Panthers were unable to bring him home, however, ending the inning in a 1-1 tie.

                Manrique hit a two-out single in the top of the eighth. Manrique stole second, and Dane Embury hit a deep fly into left, but Ewert was able to make the catch to end the inning.  

                Brandon Douglas flew out to the warning track in left center to lead off the top of the ninth. Chris Lopez followed with a double off the left-center wall.  ISU elected to intentionally walk Featherston to put runners on first and second with one down.  Brett Douglas singled into right to load the bases with one down.  Hendrix followed with a sacrifice fly into right that scored Lopez and moved Featherston to third.  Cherney fielded a ground ball and threw out Almonte at first to end the inning with UNI in front 2-1.

                Tim Flattery entered in relief in the bottom of the ninth. He struck out Ewert and got Dan Weston to ground out to short. Maines was hit by a pitch, and Stalowy drew a walk to put the tying run on second. Joe Gonzalez came in to close out the game and got Tokarski to ground into a fielder's choice to  seal the win for UNI.

                The Panthers collected seven hits in the game, and they left six men stranded on base.

                UNI and Illinois State will resume the three-game series on Saturday at 2 p.m.