Ashley Dickerson
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State Baseball (13-9, 0-0 MVC) will host the Hoosiers of Indiana (10-9, 0-0 Big Ten) for a Friday night match-up under the lights before heading to Bloomington to finish out the three-game series on Saturday and Sunday.
Weekend Schedule
Friday: vs. Indiana - 6:00pm - Bob Warn Field
Saturday: @Indiana - 3:00pm
Sunday: @Indiana - 1:00pm
Probable Pitchers
Friday: RHP Daniel Peterson
Saturday: LHP Justin Hill
Sunday: LHP Ryan Keaffaber
Summing It Up
Indiana State (13-9, 0-0 MVC) has started their home stretch at 2-3. The Sycamores took two games out of three with Siena on Saturday, winning 10-3 and 12-3 on Saturday, before falling 3-2 on Saturday. The Sycamores hosted Nebraska for a two-game, midweek match-up in which Indiana State dropped both to the Huskers.
In-State Rivalry Stretch
As the Sycamores continue a home stretch, they will play five of their next eight games at Bob Warn field that include match-ups with in-state rivals Indiana, Butler, and Purdue before beginning regular season Missouri Valley Conference play at Southern Illinois in April.
Facility Facelift
The Sycamores' Bob warn field has been updated to feature a state-of-the-art video board, as well as expanded seating, new infield tuft, and a brand-new padded wall on the first base side featuring years the Sycamores have participated in NCAA play.
Familiar Territory
Over the first five home games, senior Kaden Moore has led the Sycamore lineup batting .400, going 8-for-20 (with four being doubles), driving in five runs, and getting on base an even fifty percent of the time. Senior Andy DeJesus is hitting .391 at home with four doubles, nine hits, and a .652 slugging percentage. Junior Hunter Owen is .364 at home this season with four RBIs and hitting his second home run of the season against Nebraska. Owen is .400 overall at the plate, which leads the Sycamores.
Hunter Headlines Hitters
Hunter Owen has collected 36 hits thus far in the season, good enough for the number one spot in the Missouri Valley Conference. Along with the hits, Owen has knocked in 23 runs, scored 22 of his own, walked eight times, has been hit five times, has a team-high two home runs, and posts a .400 batting average. Assisting Owen, Kaden Moore is hitting an overall .367 with 29 hits and 19 RBIs.
The First Long Ball At Bob Warn Field
Freshman Chris Ayers has stepped up in the lineup and at the left field for the Sycamores nearing the middle of the season. Ayers was the first player in the 2016 season to take one downtown at Bob Warn Field, smacking a two-run homer in the Sycamores' 10-3 win over Siena on March 19.
Finding A Way
Senior Andy Young does post the number one batting average for the Sycamores, but the third baseman from Fargo, N.D. has found his way on base enough to score a team second best 21 runs, while leading the team in walks with 14, has been hit by five pitches, and knocking in 12.
Friis' Fast Feet
Sophomore Tyler Friis is currently third best in the MVC in stolen bases. He leads the Sycamores with seven and is 7-for-9 on the season.
Immediate Impact
Freshman Clay Dungan has been impactful for the Sycamores out of the dugout. Having started eight and playing in 11 games for ISU, the freshman is hitting a remarkable .400 at the plate, and is 12-for-30 overall, including a 4-for-5, two RBI game against No.13 N.C. State in the 11-7 win on Wednesday afternoon. Accompanying Dungan is freshman Chris Ayers who has started five games, playing in eight, inking a .348 average with three doubles.
Protecting The Field
The Sycamores remain solid in the field, sporting a Missouri Valley Conference best .976 fielding percentage. Aiding in the performance is the team's ability to turn quick double plays. Through 22 games played, the defense has turned 18 double plays, with the Andy DeJesus and Tyler Friis having their hands on 17 and 15.
A Little History
Friday's match-up between the Sycamores and the Hoosiers will make the 102nd meeting between the two schools, as the Sycamores trail the Hoosiers 43-57-1. The two teams first met in 1898.
Scouting The Competition
Indiana (10-9, 0-0 Big Ten) is coming off of a 26-run win over the Butler Bulldogs. The Hoosiers scored 27 runs off of 23 hits in the win, while the team hit a season-high five home runs in the night cap. Senior pitcher Caleb Barager was named Big Ten Co-Pitcher of the Week in last week's voting, as he holds a 1.12 ERA and is 2-1 with seven walks, 34 strikeouts, and .143 batting average against him. Also aiding the pitching staff is senior lefties Kyle Hart and Evan Bell. Hart holds a 1.34 ERA, has walked only six, and has struck out 28 as a Friday night guy, while Bell holds a 2.93 ERA with one complete game. Headlining the Hoosier hitters are three different batters swinging over .300. Junior Craig Dedelow leads with .338 at the plate and 17 RBIs, while freshman Ryan Fineman is hitting .333 and freshman Luke Miller posts a .306 at the plate. The Hoosiers currently hold wins over Valley teams in Illinois State and Evansville.
Indiana State hosts the first of the three-game series with Indiana on Friday at 6:00 p.m. ET, with game two and three taking place at Indiana's Bart Kaufman Field. Tickets for Friday can be found at the Hulman Center ticket office or at the gates of Bob Warn Field on game day. Friday's game can be found via Ustream on GoSycamores.com, while Saturday and Sunday's games can be found on Big Ten To Go.
