Ashley Dickerson
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Indiana State (15-11, 0-0 MVC) continues a home stretch as they host the Butler Bulldogs for one on Friday night and another on Saturday morning, before heading to Indianapolis to finish the series on Sunday. The Sycamores are coming off of their dramatic walk-off win against Illinois on Tuesday. Heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, the score was tied at 4-4. Junior Kyle Moore found his way on and over to third, eventually scoring the walk-off run as senior Andy DeJesus reached first on a dropped third strike by the Illinois catcher.
Weekend Schedule
Friday: vs. Butler - 6:30 p.m. - Bob Warn Field
Saturday: vs. Butler 2:00 p.m. - Bob Warn Field
Sunday: @Butler - 1:00 p.m.
Big Ten Wins
On Tuesday, the Sycamores picked up their third win over a Big Ten opponent as they avoided extra innings with Illinois, winning 5-4 in walk-off fashion. Earlier in the season, the Sycamores faced the Indiana Hoosiers who they beat 5-1 and the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Snowbird Classic in Florida where they out-hit the Hawks in the 11-3 victory.
On The Hill
Junior lefty, Weston Rivers, has performed well on the mound for the Sycamores as he has stepped into a starting position. Rivers threw for six complete innings, giving up only two hits in the 5-4 victory over the Fighting Illini of Illinois.
Gardner's First Bomb
Junior Cody Gardner hit his first home run of the season, and as a Sycamore, on Tuesday against the Fighting Illini. The Terre Haute native also went 4-for-4 in a game against Indiana last weekend, earning himself a spot in the lineup. Gardner was also nominated for Scholar-Athlete of the Week as he holds a 3.77 GPA in Business Administration.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Senior Kaden Moore is a natural ball magnet. Despite having his hands on almost every ball pithed on defense as a catcher, the South Sioux Falls native has also had been hit by 8 pitches in the box. Moore ranks at the top sport for the Sycamores and is 21st in the nation in hit by pitches, which has aided an on base percentage of over .400.
Hunter Headlines Hitters
Junior Hunter Owen is going strong representing the top spot for the Sycamore hitters and headlining the 18th ranked spot in the nation for hits with 40. Owen is currently swinging .374, and ranks top five in the MVC for batting average and second in the hits category. Owen has collected 40 hits in just over 100 at bats with 10 being doubles. Leading the RBI category for ISU, Owen has brought around 24, and leads the team with runs scored at 25.
Finding A Way
Senior Andy Young hit his third home run in Tuesday's contest with Illinois, putting him at the top spot on the team in the long ball category thus far in the season. Young does not 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 23 runs, while leading the team in walks with 14, has been hit by seven pitches, and knocking in 17 RBIs.
Protecting The Field
The Sycamores remain solid in the field, sporting the 23rd ranked defense in the nation and Missouri Valley Conference best with a .977 fielding percentage. Aiding in the performance is the team's ability to turn quick double plays. Through 26 games played, the defense has turned 19 double plays, with the Andy DeJesus and Tyler Friis having their hands on 18 and 16 .
What Would A Sweep Do?
If the Sycamores win the series outright with a sweep, head coach Mitch Hannahs will have recorded his 80th win.
A Little History
The Sycamores currently lead the series with the Bulldogs 71-36-2.
Scouting The Competition
The Butler Bulldogs enter Friday's match-up (8-16, 0-0 Big East). The Bulldogs have earned wins over Big Ten Northwestern (10-9 in 10 innings), and a 12-10 win over Boston College earlier this season. Butler took a loss to Missouri Valley's Illinois State and split with Bradley. The Indiana Hoosiers took a game from the Bulldogs, winning 27-1. Key players: Tyler Houston (.349 batting average, 12 RBI, .460 slugging oercentage, .417 on base percentage). Drew Small (.294, leads team with 25 hits, 17 runs). Zach Barnes (1.56 ERA, 2-0, 12 appearances, three saves). Nick Morton (3.09 ERA, 1-1, 35 innings pitched). Butler's schedule includes games with St. John's, Villanova, who the Sycamores fell to earlier in the season, and former Missouri Valley, Creighton. The Bulldogs currently rank sixth out of seven in the Big East Conference.
Head out to Bob Warn Field on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 p.m. ET to catch your Sycamores in action against in-state rival, Butler. Catch the game on WIBQ 1230 AM and follow along with live stats and video via GoSycamores.com.
