Box Score

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Indiana State fell 10-7 at Evansville on Sunday in the rubber match of the MVC opening series. The Sycamore defense faltered at the start of the game committing four errors, which led to five unearned runs in the first four innings. The Sycamore offense generated made up the deficit as ISU pounded out 17 hits but six ISU pitchers could not hold down the Purple Ace offense.

The Sycamores fall to 10-8 overall, while Evansville improves to 14-11 overall after taking two games of the first MVC series in the 2006 season.

Nevin Ashley led the ISU offensive attack going a perfect 5-for-5, while five other Sycamores recorded multiple hits. However, Cory Kral’s double was the only extra base hit in the game as ISU left 11 runners on base.

ISU scored first with the aid of an Evansville throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt which went down the right field line allowing Marcus Artner to score from second base. ISU returned the favor as two errors, including a similar error on a sacrifice bunt led to four runs for Evansville.

The Purple Aces extended the lead to 6-1 with two unearned runs in the fourth inning on an error, two walks and two hit batsmen.

The Sycamores scored the next three runs in the game to cut the lead to 6-4. ISU scored one on three hits in the fifth and two runs on three consecutive singles in the seventh.

Evansville scored the four runs that ended up being the difference in the game in the seventh after three consecutive walks ended up haunting the Sycamores when three singles gave UE a 10-4 lead.

The Sycamores did not give up as they plated two more runs in the eighth on four hits to cut the lead to 10-6, but left runners at first and third. ISU plated its final run in the ninth on two hits but Mark Murray got the final three outs to preserve the Purple Ace victory.

Andrew Galle (2-1) takes the loss despite giving up only one earned run. Galle lasted just 1.2 innings giving up five hits. Ben Norton (3-1) earned the victory giving up only two runs, one earned, in six innings of action.

The Sycamores will return to action on Tuesday against Illinois with the first night game of the season at Sycamore Field with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m.