Sorkin shuts out Sycamores

[April 22, 2013]  NORMAL -- Brad Sorkin fired a complete-game shutout as Illinois State (22-16, 6-3 MVC) defeated Indiana State (17-17, 7-8 MVC) 2-0 Sunday afternoon at Duffy Bass Field. It capped a three-game weekend sweep for the Redbirds, who finished their season-long 12-game homestand with 10 victories and two losses.

Sorkin (5-4) earned his first victory since March 17 and finished the third complete game of his career, needing only 96 pitches. He struck out one, walked one, scattered four hits and induced a game-ending double play to secure the win. Daniel Peterson (1-4) suffered the loss, allowing two earned runs in six innings.

ISU struck first in the bottom half of the fourth inning, scoring a run off a Mike Hollenbeck single. Aguilera led off the frame with a walk, before Kyle Stanton singled up the middle, advancing Aguilera to second base. Daniel Dwyer followed with a sacrifice bunt, moving Aguilera and Stanton to second and third with one out. With two outs and runners on second and third, Hollenbeck hit a line drive to left field, giving the Redbirds a one-run lead.

Dwyer led off the sixth inning with a single and advanced to second base off a sacrifice bunt by Brett Kay. Then with two outs, Paul DeJong doubled to right field, driving in Dwyer from second base, giving ISU a 2-0 lead and capping the scoring.

Sorkin worked 1-2-3 innings in the fourth and eighth, earning his 17th career victory. Redbird starters combined to pitch 24 innings, allowing one earned run as Illinois State swept the Sycamores.

ISU hits the road for its next contest, as the team travels to West Lafayette, Ind., to take on Purdue on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.

[Text from news release received from Illinois State University]