WESTFIELD, Ind. – The Indiana State baseball team suffered an 8-5 loss to the Youngstown State Penguins on Monday afternoon in Westfield, Ind. at Grand Park. The loss drops the Sycamores to 4-7 on the season, and the Penguins improve to 1-4.
ISU drew first blood in the bottom of the first inning. Landon Curry led off with a bunt single and Derek Hannahs drove him home with a single to right field. Curry, who was attempting to steal second on the play, was able to score when the third baseman couldn't handle the throw from the right fielder.
The Penguins were able to tie the game up in the top of the third inning. Jonny Miller reached base after getting hit by a pitch, and moved to third on a single by Frank Califano, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Jason Shirely.
The Sycamores took back the lead in the bottom of the third inning, Jacob Hayes led off with a double to the gap in left center, after a successful sacrifice bunt by Andy Young moved Hayes to third, Connor McClain took off on an early steal and the Penguin pitcher was called for a balk to bring Hayes home and put the Sycamores ahead 2-1.
Youngstown State was able to take the lead in the top of the fifth inning, scoring five runs. The Penguins started the inning with four-straight hits and then drew a bases loaded walk. Lorenzo Arcuri added another run on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single by Brent Gillespie scored the final run in the YSU half of the inning and put the Penguins ahead by a 6-2 tally.
Indiana State battled back in its half of the fifth inning, scoring two runs. Hannahs led off with a double to left field and scored on a ground out by Young. Tyler Friis hit his first career triple to center field and scored on a single up the middle by Manny Estevez. ISU trailed 6-4 after five complete.
YSU tacked on two insurance runs in the eighth inning. Shane Willoughby singled and a pinch-hit single by Jake Fryman put the first two hitters of the inning on base. The Penguins used a ground out and an RBI single to score Willoughby and Fryman and go up by a score of 8-4.
The Sycamores added one run in the top of the ninth inning when Hayes was able to score on a Friis ground out and finish with an 8-5 final.
On the mound, Jeremy McKinney (1-2) started, going 4.1 innings, allowing seven hits, six runs, all earned, and struck out seven. Trent Lunsford had his second scoreless appearance, throwing in 2.0 innings. Ethan Larrison tossed 0.2 innings and gave up one run. Ryan Keaffaber also gave up a run in 2.0 innings of work.
Hannahs continued to stay hot for the Sycamores, finishing the afternoon three-for-four with an RBI and a run scored. Hayes finished one-for-four with a pair of runs. Friis, Young and Estevez each added an RBI.
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.
