NORMAL, Ill. – After a two-hour rain delay, the Indiana State Sycamores defeated the Illinois State Redbirds 5-3 in 10 innings at Duffy Bass Field on the campus of Illinois State. The victory clinched the first Missouri Valley series win for the Sycamores in 2015. Indiana State improves to 27-24, and 8-13 in the Valley, while the Redbirds fall to 27-25, and 9-12 in the Valley.
The Redbirds took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Ryan Koziol doubled to start the rally and Sean Beesley legged out an infield single to put two on for the Redbirds. Dennis Colon hit his second home run in as many days to give Illinois State a 3-0 lead.
Indiana State cut into the Redbird lead in the top of the third inning. Connor McClain singled and advanced to third on a hit and run with Tyler Friis. McClain scored when Landon Curry ground into a fielder's choice and cut the lead to 3-1 Illinois State.
The Sycamores added a run in the top of the seventh inning. Manny Estevez led off by getting hit by a pitch and stole second base. After McClain drew a walk, Curry singled to right to bring in Estevez and trim the Illinois State lead to 3-2.
Indiana State tied it up in the top of the ninth inning. McClain singled through the left side to start the frame and moved to second when Curry singled through the right side. Jacob Hayes delivered the game-tying hit, singling up the middle with two outs to score McClain and tie the game at three.
The Sycamores took the lead in the top of the tenth inning. A pair of singles from Hunter Owen and Andy DeJesus started the frame. Owen and DeJesus executed a double steal as the throw to third got away from the Redbird third baseman allowing Owen to score. The throw to try to get Owen at the plate was wild as well, and DeJesus, running the whole time, was able to score from first as the Sycamores took a 5-3 lead.
On the mound, five pitchers combined to earn the win. Austin Conway (4-1) earned the win, pitching the final 2.1 innings, allowing one hit. Michael Eberle started, going 3.0 innings, giving up four hits, three runs (three earned), and striking out three. Trent Lunsford, Ethan Larrison and Nick Martin pitched 4.2 innings allowing one hit and striking out three.
At the plate, Curry finished 2-for-5 with two RBI. McClain also added two hits, scoring two runs. Hayes, Young, Owen, DeJesus and Estevez each added a hit in the contest, with Owen, DeJesus and Estevez each scoring runs.
The Sycamores are 12-5 over their last 17 games, with 16 of those being decided by three runs or less. It was also the third extra-inning game of the season, with Indiana State going 3-0 in extra-inning contests.
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.
