KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – This week's schedule had Indiana State play a mid-week game at SIU Edwardsville Wednesday and then travel to New Orleans for their first weekend series of the season. The SIU Edwardsville game was postponed due to the cold temperatures predicted for Wednesday but Indiana State will play at Zephyr Field in Metairie, La., against the Privateers this weekend.
First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (ET) with a 3:00 p.m. (ET) first pitch on Saturday, and 2:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday.
The Sycamores tentatively plan to continue with the piching rotation that has been successful so far this season. Senior right handed pitcher Kurt Kudrecki (1-1) will be the starter on Friday while junior left hander David Stagg (2-0) will get the call on Saturday, and junior right hander Brad Lombard (2-0) will start in the series finale on Sunday.
Links to live stats, audio, and video can be found at: http://www.unoprivateers.com/index.aspx
SERIES NOTES: When the Sycamores take the field Friday against New Orleans, it will mark the ninth time the two schools have met on the baseball diamond since 1982. Indiana State holds a 5-3 edge in including two wins in New Orleans during the 1993 season when the Sycamores won 11-8 and 9-6.
LOMBARD HONORED BY COLLEGESPORTSMADNESS.COM
Junior right hander Brad Lombard was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week by CollegeSportsMadness.com. Lombard won his second game of the season as the threw seven scoreless innings against Middle Tennessee State Sunday while scattering four hits, striking out three, and walking one. Lombard had been sick the previous couple of days but was able to take the mound and earn the win.
INDIANA STATE PERFECT AT MULE CITY CLASSIC
The Sycamores brought home the mythical championship of the Mule City Classic after sweeping their hosts over the weekend. Indiana State opened with a 10-6 win over Lipscomb on Friday and then posted a 4-2 triumph over Belmont Saturday. The Sycamores wrapped up play with a 9-0 shutout win at Middle Tennessee State.
The Classic brought Indiana State, Dayton and Miami (Ohio) to the Nashville, Tenn., area for the competition against Belmont, Lipscomb, and Middle Tennessee State.
Jacob Hayes finished the weekend 4-of-12 (.333) at the plate but those four hits included two home runs, a double, and a single as he led the Sycamores with 11 RBI and a .917 slugging percentage. Jeff Zahn and Cody Zimmerman had five hits each. Starting pitchers Kurt Kudrecki, David Stagg and Brad Lombard each picked a win while reliever Ryan Keaffaber recorded two saves in two appearances.
SYCAMORE WINNING STREAK AT SIX
The Sycamores built their winning streak to six games with their three wins at the Mule City Classic. The six game winning streak is the longest since the 2011 season when Indiana State won eight straight.
BEST START SINCE 2009
Indiana State's 6-1 record to start the season is the best start for the Sycamores since the 2009 campaign when the Sycamores opened the season with a 9-1 record.
KEAFFABER LEADS VALLEY IN SAVES
Freshman left handed reliever Ryan Keaffaber appeared in two games over the weekend and recorded two saves to up his season total of four which is best among relievers in the Missouri Valley Conference.
