Box Score

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State and Miami (Ohio) battled into two extra innings, but in the end the Redhawks came up with the big hit to take a 4-3 decision on Monday night at Sycamore Field. Neither team had more than a one run lead in a back-and-forth battle and after Miami took the lead in the top of the 11th, the Sycamores put runners at second and third with one out but could not push across a run to tie the game. It is the sixth straight loss for the Sycamores, a season-high, as they fall to 13-17, while Miami wins its fourth straight to improve to 13-15.

Miami took a 1-0 lead on the first pitch of the game as Ryne Robinson greeted ISU starter Josh Varno with a home run to left field. ISU responded in the second inning as back-to-back singles and an error loaded the bases with nobody out. However, ISU could generate only one run on a Josh Abercrombie sacrifice fly and the Sycamores settled for a 1-1 tie after two.

ISU took its first lead of the game in the third on Jake Eigsti's third home run of the season. It was Miami's turn to respond and it came in the sixth inning as the Redhawks used a two-out RBI single to knot the game, 2-2. MU took the lead in the seventh frame on an unearned run. Eric Radley put a ball up the middle that Ryan Bond tipped off his glove straight to Eigsti at shortstop. However, Eigsti's quick throw sailed into the Redhawk dugout sending Radley to second. MU than bunted Radley over and he gave the Redhawks a 3-2 lead on a ground ball to second base.

The Sycamores came back in the eighth as Eigsti came up with another clutch hit, this time a double to left field to score Andrew Strange, making the score 3-3. Eigsti than stole third base, but a walk and a double-play ended the ISU threat. The Redhawks and Sycamores both had chances in the next couple innings, but it wasn't until the 11th when MU would break through. Ryan Tatusko (3-4) entered in the 11th as the Sycamores' eighth pitcher of the night and hit Radley, his first batter. MU than bunted him to second and Robinson came up with the big hit, a single through the rightside to plate the go ahead run.

ISU was given a golden opportunity in the bottom of the inning as Kyle Kolb led off the inning with a dribbler back to the pitcher but it was thrown away allowing him to advance to second. Marcus Artner was than hit-by-a pitch and Tim Brewer bunted them over to put runners and second and third with one out. However, Matt Long (3-1) got a strikeout and a ground out to end the game and earn the victory.

Eigsti led ISU with two hits, two RBI and a run scored, while Artner was the only other Sycamore with multiple hits as the Redhawks owned a 11-6 advantage on the offensive attack.

The Sycamores will look to get back on track at Eastern Illinois on Wednesday afternoon with first pitch in Charleston, Ill. scheduled for 3 p.m. (CT).