Ashley Dickerson
GoSycamores.com
MUNCIE, Ind. – Indiana State Baseball's 19-hit, four home run performance at Ball State marks the second time this season that the team has hit those numbers for each category. The Sycamores (30-17, 9-6 MVC) topped Ball State by a final score of 16-8. In the win, junior Hunter Owen was a perfect 6-for-6 at the plate, something that has not been done since the 1992 season when former Sycamore Demetrius Dowler was 6-for-6 against Wichita State. Senior Kaden Moore had his share at the plate smashing a grand slam and driving in seven runs, while junior Tony Rosselli hit a game-high two home runs.
The Sycamores wasted no time getting on the board this afternoon, as senior Andy DeJesus was hit by a pitch to lead things off, senior Andy Young and junior Hunter Owen loaded the bases with infield singles, and senior Kaden Moore knocked in all four runs with a grand slam. Two batters later, Rosselli homered for his seventh time this season to give the Sycamores the early 5-0 lead over the Cardinals.
Indiana State continued the trend in the second inning, scoring two more runs on three hits. DeJesus singled through the left side, advancing on a single to the Cardinal second baseman from Young. Owen singled trough the left side to plate another run for the Sycamores. Following Owen, Moore chopped one to third, giving Young enough time to reach home safely and Moore to pick up his 46th RBI of the season.
With the 7-0 advantage, the Sycamores gave up a two-run homer in the bottom of the second, reducing their lead to 7-2. The Cardinals cut into the Sycamores' lead again in the bottom of the third, as they snuck one run across to make it a 7-3 Sycamore lead.
In the top of the fifth inning, sophomore Dane Giesler drew a two-out walk, just before Rosselli crushed his second homer of the game and team-leading eighth of the season to put Indiana State up 9-3.
Ball State continued to notch away at the Sycamores' lead, as they plated another run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Sophomore Tyler Friis led off the sixth inning with a walk, advanced to second as Young was walked, and scored on a single up the middle from Owen. Indiana State plated two more runs, as Moore stroked a double into the right center gap, plating his sixth and seventh RBIs of the game to go up on Ball State, 12-4.
The Sycamores extended their lead again in the seventh inning and freshman Clay Dungan doubled, advanced to third on a Friis single, and then scored on a DeJesus fielder's choice to lift ISU to a 13-4 lead over the Cardinals.
Indiana State continued to climb as Dane Giesler smashed his first homer of the season in the top of the eighth to put the Sycamore up 16-4, but after two straight scoreless innings, the Cardinals found a way to plate two more runs in the bottom of the eighth to cut into the Sycamores' lead, 16-6.
The Cardinals scored again in the bottom of the ninth after Indiana State walked five straight, but the Sycamores were able to finish the night with a 16-8 win.
Hunter Owen was 6-for-6 with two RBIs and three runs scored, while Kaden Moore finished 3-for-5 with seven RBIs, a grand slam, and two runs scored. Tony Rosselli knocked two over the fence, plated three runs, scored twice, and was 3-for-6, while Dane Giesler hit his first long ball of the season, and three-run four-bagger.
The Sycamores will next travel to Peoria, Ill., for a three-game stint against MVC foe, Bradley. Friday night's game is set for 7:00 p.m. ET, while Saturday and Sunday are slated for 3:00 and 2:00 p.m. ET, respectively. This weekend's series can be viewed on The Valley on ESPN3.
