Ashley Dickerson
GoSycamores.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Sycamores (20-12, 1-1 MVC) picked up their 20th win of the season as they evened out the series with Southern Illinois (19-12, 1-1 MVC), with a solid 3-0 win this afternoon. Junior Ryan Keaffaber led the team as he pitched his second consecutive complete game of the season in shutout manor, inproving himself to 4-2 on the mound this season.
Indiana State struck first for the 27th time this year as they plated one in the third inning with senior Andy DeJesus doubling and then scoring on a RBI double from junior Hunter Owen, his 12th double of the season.
With the 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth, the Sycamores put up two more to go up 3-0. Freshman Clay Dungan led things off with a double and advanced to third on a fly ball to right, just before junior Tony Rosselli hit for a RBI single. Following Rosselli, sophomore Dane Giesler singled and advanced to third on an error, scoring later on an infield single from sophomore Tyler Friis.
The Sycamores would hold to the 3-0 lead to win it behind Keaffaber's complete game, shut out. Keaffaber allowed only three hits while giving up no walks. Only four Salukis would reach base this afternoon, and only one would collect an extra base hit, while Keaffaber retired three-in-a-row in five different innings. Out of the 107 pitches delivered, the junior hurler was perfect on 75.
As a team, the Sycamores collected nine hits in the shutout. Rosselli finished 2-for-4 with one RBI, Owen collected a hit, reached on an error, and was hit by a pitch. Eight of the starting nine batters tallied at least one hit throughout the game for the Sycamores.
Indiana State will return to Itchy Jones Stadium on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. ET as they look to take their opening series of Missouri Valley Conference play.
