TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Indiana State baseball team picked up its ninth-straight victory over in-state rival Butler on Tuesday afternoon at Bob Warn Field at Sycamore Stadium. The Sycamores defeated the Bulldogs by a score of 8-5 and improve to 11-13 on the season, while Butler falls to 12-15.
The Sycamores struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Landon Curry led off with a single and scored from first on a Hunter Owen double. Owen scored on a single by Jacob Hayes to put the Sycamores up 2-0 after one inning.
In the third inning, Curry and Derek Hannahs led off with back-to-back singles. Andy Young singled to score Curry. Tyler Friis added to the lead, hitting a double down the left field line to score Hannahs and Young. Andrew Gutierrez wrapped up the inning with a single to bring home Friis and increase the lead to 6-0 in favor of the Sycamores.
The Bulldogs got on the board in the top of the fifth inning. Will Amador doubled to start the inning, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a wild pitch. Mike Kseniak was hit by a pitch and moved to third on an Austin Miller double. Miller and Kseniak scored on a double by Drew Small to cut the Sycamore lead in half at 6-3.
Indiana State answered back in the bottom of the fifth inning. Hayes led off with a single and then stole second. He was moved to third on a ground out by Friis and scored on a wild pitch to put the Sycamores up 7-3.
Butler added one run in the top of the sixth inning. Quincy Quintero, Garrett Christman, and Chris Marras loaded the bases, and Quintero scored on a fielder's choice by Cole Malloy to cut the lead to 7-4.
ISU's Owen led off the seventh with a single to left field and moved around the bases on wild pitches before scoring on a Young single to put the Sycamores ahead 8-4.
In the ninth, Butler's Small singled and scored on a double by Houston to cut the lead to the final 8-5 tally.
The Sycamores belted out 15 hits in the contest, with six starters have multi-hit games. Young finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Curry was 2-for-5 with two runs scored; Owen, Hayes, Friis and Gutierrez each finished 2-for-4. Hannahs and DeJesus added a hit each.
On the mound, freshman Ethan Larrison got the start, throwing in 4-plus innings, allowing five hits, three runs; all earned, and striking out three. Nick Kolarik worked an inning in relief, allowing one hit, one run, walking one and striking out one. Connor Schwienebart (1-0) earned the victory, his first as a Sycamore, allowing just three hits over his three innings of work. Michael Eberle pitched the ninth inning, allowing two hits, and one run while striking out the side.
ISU returns to action on Wednesday, April 1st as they host the Ball State Cardinals at Bob Warn Field at Sycamore Stadium. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.
For the latest information on the Sycamore Baseball team, make sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.
