TUCSON, AZ ? The Indiana State baseball team suffered its second defeat to Arizona Saturday night as the Wildcats shutout the Sycamores 5-0 in front of 851 fans. Arizona won the opening game 10-2 on Friday night.
The Wildcats are the third ranked team that the Sycamores have faced this season but are the first one to shut out Indiana State. In fact, Saturday's shut-out loss to Arizona was the first time all season that the Sycamores have failed to score a run in a game.
Indiana State (10-19) and Arizona (19-11) will play the final game of their three-game series on Sunday. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. (ET).
Arizona grabbed the lead in the second inning as Brad Glenn belted a solo home run over the left centerfield fence. The Wildcats added another in the inning on a Diallo Fon double after Daniel Butler reached on a walk to take a 2-0 lead they never relinquished.
The Sycamores stayed in the game and had an opportunity to get back into the contest in the sixth when Nick Ciolli and David Brumagin hit back-to-back singles with just one out. Brian Jett grounded out to first but that allowed Ciolli and Brumagin to advance into scoring position.
That was all for Arizona starter David Coulon as Daniel Schlereth came on in relief and struck out Sean Osborne to end the Sycamore threat.
Back to back singles by the Wildcats Bryce Ortega and Daniel Butler and a pair of walks, one intentional, brought the end of the night for ISU's starter Matt Shelton with one out in the sixth.
Josh Varno took over and and gave up a single to Dillon Baird that scored a pair of Arizona runs but then the Sycamore left-hander settled in and got the next two batters to retire the side.
The Wildcats held a 5-0 lead at that point and Indiana State did not threaten after that even though they did manage to get runners on base.
David Brumagin had a pair of singles for the Sycamores while Ryan Strausborger, Chris Schmidt, Brian Oliver, Zane Chavez and Nick Ciolli had a single each.
Matt Shelton (3-2) picked up the loss with both Josh Varno and Nathan Inman working in relief.
This is the Sycamores first trip to Tucson since 1979 when Indiana State made their first appearance in post season play, taking part in the Midwestern Region. ISU lost to Hawaii (3-4) and Oklahoma (2-9) at that tournament.
Indiana State will have a short turn-around after Sunday's game. The Sycamores will play at Ball State on Tuesday and then travel to Evansville for a three-game Missouri Valley Conference series over the weekend.
