TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Dan Savas scattered four hits in 7.0 innings and Illinois State (14-5, 1-0 MVC) scored seven runs with two outs in the second inning en route to a 13-1, 7-innings win against Bradley (13-4, 0-1 MVC) in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams Friday afternoon at Illinois State's Bob Warn Field.
Bradley had an opportunity to jump out to a quick lead as Savas (6-0) struggled with his control in the first inning. The Braves loaded the bases with one out on a Chris Godinez leadoff double, a Max Murphy walk and a Greg Partyka hit-by-pitch, but after Tyler Leffler thought he drew a run-scoring walk on a 3-0 high strike, he grounded into a double play to end the top of the first.
After Illinois State pushed one across in the top of the first without the benefit of a hit, the Redbirds benefitted by a similar borderline ball-strike call in the second to help break the game open. Struggling with his control from the outset, Bradley starter David Koll (2-2) loaded the bases with two outs in the second with a hit by pitch and two walks. He appeared to get out of the jam by catching Sean Beesley looking on a backdoor curveball, but given a reprieve, Beesley delivered with a 3-run double on the next pitch.
After Beesley opened the flood gates with Illinois State's first hit, the Redbirds went on to pound out 11 hits, ending the game on Logan Everett's 3-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to invoke The Valley's 10-run rule. Bradley entered the game among the nation's top 40 in both fewest walks allowed per nine innnings and strikeouts-to-walk ratio, but the combination of Koll (four walks) and reliever Peter Resnick (three walks) combined to walk seven Redbird hitters in 6.0 innings.
The second game of Friday's doubleheader is slated for a 3:45 p.m. (EDT) start at Indiana State's Bob Warn Field. The series was moved to the home of the Sycamores due to unplayable field conditions at both Illinois State's Duffy Bass Field and Bradley's Dozer Park as the ground continues to thaw throughout Central Illinois.
