COLUMBIA, MO. ? The Sycamores dropped a pair of games at the University of Missouri on Sunday, losing 9-8 in the bottom of the ninth in the opening game and then falling 6-2 in the nightcap.
In the first game, Missouri scored a run in the bottom of the first to take the early lead but the Sycamores came back in the sixth to tie the game at 1-all. Chris Schmidt reached with two outs on a Tiger error and then stole second, scoring on a double by Brady Shoemaker double.
The Tigers came back with two in the bottom half of the sixth but the Sycamores came back again, scoring five in the top of the seventh on four hits. Brian Oliver opened the inning with a single to center and Zane Chavez followed with a single up the middle. Both advanced on a Ben Caple sacrifice bunt and Pascual Del Real was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Gary King pinch hit for Ryan Strausborger and walked to force in a run with Brian Ramirez also walking to force in the tying run. Schmidt drove in a run with a single up the middle and two more scored on a Shoemaker single to left, giving ISU a 6-3 advantage.
The lead didn't last long as Missouri came right back with five runs in the bottom of the seventh to retake the lead 8-6. The Sycamores rallied again in the top of the eighth with two runs on three hits.
Del Real hit a one out double down the left field line to start the rally Bronco Lafrenz followed with a single to put runners at the corners. David Brumagin came on to run for Lafrenz and stole second. After Ramirez grounded out, Schmidt hit a triple to left center, scoring two runs and tying the game at 8-all.
Missouri threatened in the eighth but the Sycamore defense held but Indiana State could not get anything going in the top of the ninth. The Tigers were able to push over a run in the bottom half to take the win.
The Sycamores had eight runs on 10 hits but left nine runners stranded in the game.
Schmidt and Shoemaker each went 2-for-5 in the game and each had three RBI. Schmidt had a triple and a single while Shoemaker hit a double and a single. Del Real also had a double while Strausborger, Oliver, Chavez, and Lafrenz had a single each.
Micah Spencer started on the mound for Indiana State and went six innings, giving up a run on three hits while striking out five and walking one. Clay Kovac took over in the seventh, giving up three runs on one hit in an inning of work. Matt Shelton went one-third of an inning before Josh Varno came on in the eighth and picked up the loss, giving up two runs on three hits.
In the nightcap, the Sycamores opened with a run in the top of the first to take the early lead. Strausborger led off with a single but was out at second as Ramirez hit into a fielder's choice. After Schmidt single, both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Shoemaker grounded out to second but got the RBI as Ramirez scored from third.
Missouri came back with a run in the third and then added two in the sixth and two more in the seventh to build a 5-1 advantage.
Indiana State was able to tack on another run in the eighth and it was Strausborger again getting the rally going with a single. Ramirez followed with a walk and both runners advanced as Shoemaker singled to load the bases with just one out. Ciolli grounded out to first but got the RBI as Strausborger scored.
The Sycamores were not able to push another run across the plate while Missouri tacked on one more in the bottom of the eighth to win the game and complete the sweep of Indiana State.
Schmidt has now hit safely in seven straight games for Indiana State, getting a single in four trips to the plate. Lafrenz led the Sycamores with a double and a single while Shoemaker and Strausborger had two singles each.
Brian Oliver (0-2) started on the mound for Indiana State and picked up the loss, going 5.2 innings in giving up three runs on five hits.
The Sycamores (1-8) will try to snap a six-game losing skid next week as they play a series of games in Charleston, SC. Indiana State will meet The Citadel on Wednesday and then play a four game series at the College of Charleston over the weekend.
