Ashley Dickerson
GoSycamores.com
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Indiana State Baseball (18-11, 0-0 MVC) earned the sweep over in-state rival, Butler, winning game three by a score of 6-1. Freshman Tyler Ward improved to 3-3 on the mound, while fellow freshman Clay Dungan knocked in three early runs for the Sycamores.
The Sycamores came out of the gates swinging, scoring three in the first inning. Senior Andy DeJesus led things off with a double to left field before junior Hunter Owen was hit by a pitch. Senior Kaden Moore loaded the bases with a walk after a long battle at the plate.
With all the bags covered, freshman Clay Dungan stepped in to clear them with a full count, double to right center, notching the Sycamores a 3-0 lead over the Bulldogs.
Butler threatened in the third and fifth innings, putting multiple players on base, but the Sycamore defense remained solid, turning two double plays to work out of each jam.
In the top of the sixth inning, Indiana State loaded the bases on singles from Owen and Moore and a walk for Dungan, but the Sycamores would not push any across.
The Sycamores were patient in the top of the eighth inning as junior Tony Rosselli and Dungan walked, before senior Andrew Gutierrez singled to left field to tack up another run as Rosselli slid into home safely to go up 4-0.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Bulldogs snuck one run across cutting the Sycamore lead to 4-1, but the Sycamores answered in the top of the ninth as junior Kyle Moore doubled before scoring on an Andy Young single. Young then stole second, and came around to score on a Kaden Moore double.
The Sycamores would hold onto the lead to earn win number three over Butler, 6-1. Dungan finished 1-for-2 with three RBIs and two walks, while Kaden Moore finished 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored, and a RBI. Kyle Moore finished 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Indiana State Baseball will return to Bob Warn Field on Tuesday, April 5th for another in-state battle as they host the Boilermakers of Purdue for a 6:00 p.m. night cap. Follow the team on Twitter and Facebook for all of the latest updates.
