OXFORD, MS ? Indiana State had a 5-3 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning but could not make it stand up as the University of Mississippi rallied for two in the bottom of the ninth and scored the game winning run in the 11th to defeat the Sycamores 6-5 Sunday.
Despite dropping all three games to Ole' Miss, who is ranked second in one poll and fourth in another, the Sycamores did make a statement by staying competitive with Mississippi. Indiana State had chances to win in both the opening game Friday and in Sunday's contest but could not hold off the high-powered offense of Ole' Miss.
Mississippi scored a run in the bottom of the second inning to take the early lead off a solo home run by Matt Smith.
The Sycamores had their biggest offensive output in a single inning in the top of the third as four runs crossed the plate.
Brian Ramirez got Indiana State going with a solo home run to left field with one out. That was the first home run of the season hit by the Sycamores and tied the game at 1-all. But the Sycamores were not finished.
Cole Standridge followed with a single down the left field line but was out at second as Ryan Strausborger hit into a fielder's choice. Pascual Del Real and Chris Schmidt followed with back to back singles that Strausborger scoring to put ISU in front 2-1. Brady Shoemaker made it a 4-1 game with a single to center that allowed Del Real and Schmidt to score.
The Sycamores tacked another run in the sixth on a Brian Oliver single to left field.
Mississippi came back with single runs in the seventh and eighth innings, then scoring twice in the bottom of the ninth to send the game into extra innings.
Indiana State had a chance in the eighth to add to their lead but could not get a run across the plate. The Sycamores also had a chance to score the go-ahead run in the 10th after Gary King walked with one out, Brian Jett hit a two out single and Bronco Lafrenz walked to load the bases. However, Ramirez grounded out to the shortstop to end the ISU threat.
Ole' Miss also loaded the bases in the 10th but could not push over a run as the Sycamores defense came up with the big play to get out of the inning.
Indiana State could not get anything going in the 11th and Mississippi's Matt Smith hit his second home run of the game in the bottom half of the inning to give Mississippi the win.
Brady Shoemaker had a double and a single in three trips to the plate and two RBI to lead the Sycamore offense while Brian Oliver had a home run and a single in four trips with one RBI. Pascual Del Real also had two singles, Brian Ramirez a home run, Chris Schmidt, Ben Caple and Cole Standridge had a single each.
Micah Spencer started on the mound for the Sycamores, going 6.2 innings in allowing two runs on six hits while striking out two and walking six. Clay Kovac went 2.1 innings, giving up three runs on five hits while striking out two and walking two. Brendon Smith picked up the loss in relief, going 1.1 innings in giving up a run on one hit while striking out one and walking one.
The Sycamores, 1-5 overall, will hopefully open the home portion of their season on Wednesday as they host the Indiana Hoosiers at Sycamore Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
