WICHITA, Kan. – The Indiana State Sycamores defeated the Wichita State Shockers 12-8 Saturday afternoon at Eck Stadium. The Sycamores scored eight runs in the ninth inning to earn the win. The Sycamores improve to 13-14, and 3-5 in the Missouri Valley, while Wichita State falls to 12-18, and 4-1 in the Valley.
The Sycamores took the lead in the top of the third inning. Andy DeJesus singled to third, then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch before Derek Hannahs singled to left to score DeJesus.
Wichita State scored one in the bottom of the third inning. Ryan Tinkham reached on a throwing error and was driven home on a Jordan Farris single to tie the game up at 1-1.
ISU took the lead in the top of the fourth inning, scoring two runs. Tyler Friis drew a walk to get on and scored on a single from Kaden Moore. Moore later came around to score on a sacrifice fly to shallow center from Tony Rosselli and push the Sycamore lead to 3-1.
The Shockers tied it up in the bottom of the fifth inning. Daniel Kihle led off with a single and Tinkham doubled to put runners in scoring position. Sam Hilliard drove a single to center field that was bobbled by the ISU centerfielder that allowed two runs to score, but Hilliard was thrown out attempting to take second. Wichita State tied the game 3-3 in the fifth inning.
ISU regained the lead in the top of the sixth inning. DeJesus led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Hannahs again delivered the single to score DeJesus and put ISU up 4-3.
Wichita State battled back in the bottom of the sixth inning to take their first lead of the game. Bob Arens scored on Kihle's fourth single of the game, and Tinkham brought Trey Vickers home on a bases-loaded walk. ISU trailed 5-4 after six complete.
The Shockers added to their lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. Chase Rader led off with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by ISU. Bob Arens doubled to center field to bring home Rader and put the Shockers up 6-4.
Wichita State continued to add to their lead, scoring two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Kihle led off with his fifth single of the day, and scored on a fielder's choice from Hilliard. Farris hit a sacrifice fly to left field to bring home Hilliard and put the Shockers up 8-4.
ISU regained the lead in the top of the ninth inning, scoring eight runs. Andy Young led off the inning with a solo home run to center field. Jacob Hayes and Taylor Steen drew back-to-back walks, and Moore was hit-by-a-pitch to load the bases. Manny Estevez and DeJesus drew bases-loaded walks to bring the game to an 8-7 Shocker lead. Rosselli tied the game up on a sacrifice fly to center field before Derek Hannahs delivered the go-ahead two-run single to score Gardner, who was pinch-running for Estevez, and DeJesus. Andy Young added the exclamation point with a two-run home run off of the scoreboard in left field, his second of the inning.
On the mound, ISU used six pitchers to earn the victory. Ryan Keaffaber started for the Sycamores, going 5.1 innings, allowing nine hits, four runs; two earned, walking one and striking out four. Connor Schwienebart faced four batters, giving up two hits, walking two and giving up a run.
Michael Eberle tossed 1.2 innings, allowing three hits, three earned runs, walking one and striking out two. Josh Negele made his first appearance since May 24th, 2013, facing one batter and picking up an out. Nick Kolarik (1-0) earned the win by closing out the eighth inning allowing one hit in his 0.2 innings pitched. Austin Conway worked a scoreless ninth, giving up one hit while preserving the ISU lead.
At the plate, Young finished 3-for-6 with three RBI and two runs scored, hitting two home runs in the ninth inning. Hannahs finished 3-for-5 with four RBI and a run scored. DeJesus finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored. Off the bench, Rosselli finished 1-for 2 with two RBI. Moore and Estevez each picked up an RBI in the game. The Sycamores drew 11 walks in the contest, including four in the ninth.
ISU returns to action Sunday, April 5th as they go for the series win against the Wichita State Shockers. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. (ET).
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.
