PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The Indiana State Sycamores knocked off the No. 1 Vanderbilt Commodores by a score of 8-1 Saturday afternoon at Charlotte Sports Park, in Port Charlotte, Fla.  It is the highest ranked team that the Sycamores have ever beaten.  ISU is now 3-2, and Vanderbilt drops to 3-2. 

The Commodores got the lead early, scoring one in the bottom of the first inning.  Dansby Swanson started the game with a leadoff double and scored on a Zander Wiel single. 

The Sycamores evened the score in the fifth inning.  Jeff Zahn smashed a double over the head of the right fielder, ISU used three walks to plate Zahn with Jacob Hayes picking up the RBI. 

The Sycamores broke the ball game open in the sixth inning.  Andy Young led off with a double down the third baseline that was misplayed by the left fielder allowing him to take third base.  Connor McClain drove in Young on a single to right to give the Sycamores their first lead.  Kaden Moore drove a double to left center to score McClain and Landon Curry followed with a single to right to drive in Zahn and Moore. Young also earned an RBI drawing a bases loaded walk to bring home Curry.  Tyler Friis then singled to centerfield to plate two more runs to give the Sycamores the commanding 8-1 advantage.

Jeff Degano (2-0) earned the win for the Sycamores.  Degano threw 7.0 innings, allowing six hits, surrendering one run and striking out five.  Michael Eberle closed the door on Vanderbilt, throwing 2.0 innings, striking out two.  Degano and Eberle only allowed one base runner from the fourth inning on. 

At the plate, ISU was led by Zahn who finished two-for-four with two runs scored.  Moore added two hits, a run and an RBI.  Derek Hannahs finished two-for three with a run scored.

For the latest information on the Sycamore Men's Baseball team, make sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.