KEVIN JENISON
GoSYcamores.com
BATAVIA, N.Y. – Indiana State rallied late in the game but could not get in front as the Canisius Golden Griffins held off the Sycamores 5-4 Saturday.
Indiana State (24-12) will look to avoid being swept for the first time this season at 12 p.m. (ET) Sunday when they play the final game of the series against Canisius College (22-13).
Indiana State left two men aboard in the first two innings and then fell behind in the third as Canisius was able to take advantage of a walk, hit batter and a wild pitch to score a run on Ryan Coppinger's single. Canisius went up 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth as the Golden Griffins scored three times on five hits.
The Sycamores broke into the scoring column in the top of the fifth. Connor McClain led off the inning with a double off the right field fence but could not advance as Derek Hannahs flew out to center field. Landon Curry was hit by a pitch and Cody Zimmerman reached on a single just past the outstretched glove of the Griffin's shortstop to load the bases. Jacob Hayes followed with a sacrifice fly to left but that was all Indiana State could do in the inning.
Indiana State scored another run in the top of the sixth as Jeff Zahn doubled into center with two outs and came around to score on McClain's single through the left side.
Canisius went up 5-2 in the bottom of the seventh on two singles, a walk and a hit batter.
The Sycamores rallied in the top of the eighth with a pair of runs. Michael Eberle led off the inning with a single and Tyler Wampler also singled. McClain followed with an double to score Eberle and Wampler scored as Hannahs grounded out to first. McClain reached third on the play but was left stranded.
Canisius was able to hold off the Sycamores in the ninth to preserve the win.
Brad Lombard started for Indiana State and suffered his first loss of the season, allowing five runs on 11 hits while striking out two and walking five. A.J. McElderry and Austin Conway both pitched in the seventh as did Josh Dove who finished the game. Dove allowed two hits while McElderry struck out one.
Indiana State had 10 hits in the game led by Connor McClain who went 4-for-4 with two doubles and two singles. Tyler Wampler had two singles with Jeff Zahn hitting a double, and Cody Zimmerman, Jeff Hayes and Michael Eberle each hitting a single.
The game was played at Dwyer Stadium, home of the Miami Marlins Class A Short Season affiliate Batavia Muckdogs. Sunday's game will be back on the campus of Canisius College at the Demske Sports Complex.
