Heilenback goes the distance in ISU’s win over SIUE

Posted on May 4, 2015
Steve Heilenbach pitched a complete game in ISU's win over SIUE on Sunday. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)
Steve Heilenbach pitched a complete game in ISU’s win over SIUE on Sunday. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)

By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL – Steve Heilenbach turned in Illinois State’s first nine-inning, complete-game pitching performance in nearly two years as the Redbirds scored a 7-1 win over SIUE in the final game of a four-game series Sunday at Duffy Bass Field.

Heilenbach limited SIUE to just one run on four hits and one walk over nine strong innings, while striking out three. He needed just 99 pitches to finish the game, which was the Redbirds’ final non-conference game of the 2015 season.

Sunday’s win sealed a 3-1 series win over SIUE as the Redbirds bounced back from a 4-1 loss Friday with a doubleheader sweep Saturday before Sunday’s win.

Illinois State (24-22) took control of the game early with five runs in the second inning. Ryan Koziol got things started with a double to left-center field. Sean Beesley and Jack Czeszewski were hit by pitches in consecutive at-bats to load the bases, and Dennis Colon plated the first runs of the inning with a two-run double to the left. Paul DeJong followed with a run-scoring infield single after Daniel Dwyer walked to load the bases. Jared Hendren then brought in the final two runs of the inning with a single to right field.

The Redbirds added a run in the sixth on an SIUE balk and another in the seventh with a solo home run to left field from Hendren, his third of the season.

SIUE (16-25) scored its only run of the game with two outs in the top of the ninth, as Alec Saikal’s single up the middle drove in pinch hitter Collin Book, spoiling Heilenbach’s shutout bid.

Heilenbach’s nine-inning outing is the longest of his Illinois State career, and the longest turned in by a Redbird pitcher this year. Heilenbach pitched the Redbirds’ first nine-inning complete game since Dan Savas went the distance in the MVC Tournament’s championship game in 2013.

Hendren, Kelch and Colon registered two hits apiece in Sunday’s win. Dwyer reached base three times, with a single and a pair of walks.

The Redbirds are back in action next weekend with a three-game series at Missouri Valley Conference foe Bradley. The series opener is set for Friday at 6 p.m.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…