TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Sycamore baseball team dropped its fourth-straight contest on Friday evening against Southern Illinois at Bob Warn Field at Sycamore Stadium. Indiana State falls to 13-18, and 3-7 in the Missouri Valley, Southern Illinois improves to 6-27, and 2-5 in the Valley.
The Salukis took an early lead in the top of the second inning. Logan Blackfan doubled to start the inning and was driven home on a single to center field by Taylor Martin to lead 1-0.
ISU tied the game up in the bottom of the second inning. Jacob Hayes hit his second home run in as many games to right center field to tie the game up at one.
The Sycamores were able to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Hayes led off with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error by the Saluki catcher and scored after the centerfielder misplayed the overthrow. ISU led 2-1 after four innings.
Indiana State scored another unearned run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Landon Curry singled and advanced to second on a throwing error by the Saluki shortstop. Derek Hannahs singled to bring Curry home and put the Sycamores up 3-1.
SIU cut into the Sycamore lead in the top of the sixth inning. Ryan Sabo singled and scored on a Parker Osborne triple to center field to put the score at 3-2 ISU.
The Salukis scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning to take a 5-3 lead. SIU started the inning with four-straight singles, including an RBI single to centerfield by Osborne. Chase Sloan delivered the second run of the inning on a sacrifice fly to center field and Will Farmer singled to increase the lead to 5-3 in favor of SIU.
Jeff Degano (5-3) started for the Sycamores, going 7-plus innings, allowing 12 hits, four runs, all earned, and striking out 10. The start snaps a streak of seven-consecutive quality starts. Michael Eberle worked in relief, facing two hitters allowing two hits and an earned run. Austin Conway finished the game, going 2.0 innings, giving up one hit and striking out the side in the ninth inning.
At the plate, Curry and Hannahs each finished 2-for-4, Curry scored once when Hannahs picked up his RBI. Hayes finished 1-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI in the contest. Tyler Friis also added a hit in the game.
ISU returns to action on Saturday, Apr. 11th when they face Southern Illinois at Bob Warn Field. First pitch is set for 2:00 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.
