WICHITA, Kan. – The Sycamore Baseball team dropped the series opener against the Wichita State Shockers by a score of 5-3 on Friday night at Eck Stadium. ISU falls to 12-14 overall and 2-5 in the Missouri Valley. Wichita State improves to 12-17, and 4-0 the Valley.
The Sycamores scored first in the top of the first inning. Tyler Friis led off and struck out but reached first on a wild pitch. Hunter Owen singled and moved Friis to third with one out. Andy Young delivered the big hit in the inning, a two-run double to left center to put the Sycamores up 2-0.
ISU added to its lead in the top of the fourth inning. Tony Rosselli and Kaden Moore led off with back-to-back singles. Andy DeJesus bunted into a fielder's choice to move Rosselli to third. Friis plated Rosselli on a bunt single to first and push the lead to 3-0.
The Shockers cut into the Sycamore lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. After a pair of walks led off the inning, Sam Hilliard scored on a ground out by Gunnar Troutwine. Trey Vickers singled up the middle to bring home Chase Rader and cut the Sycamore lead to 3-2.
Wichita State tied it up in the bottom of the sixth. Daniel Kihle singled up the middle and moved to third on a failed pick-off attempt. Hilliard ripped a single up the middle to plate Kihle and tie the game up 3-3 after six innings.
The Shockers took the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases for Wichita State, and Bob Arens delivered the two-run single to put the Shockers up 5-3.
Jeff Degano started on the mound for the Sycamores, going 7.0 innings allowing five hits, three runs, two earned, walking four and striking out a career-high 12. Austin Conway (1-1) pitched 1.0 inning in relief, allowing one hit, two earned runs, walking two and striking out one while picking up the loss.
At the plate, Friis and Young finished 2-for-4. Young had two RBI, while Friis had one RBI and a run scored. Rosselli finished 1-for-2 with a run scored. Moore, DeJesus, and Owen each had a hit.
The Sycamores return to action on Saturday, April 4th against Wichita State at Eck Stadium at 2:00 p.m. (ET). The game will be broadcasted on ESPNU, as well as on 1230 AM WIBQ.
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.
