Ashley Dickerson
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Sycamore Baseball (33-19, 12-8 MVC) evened the series with Evansville (27-24, 9-11 MVC) on Friday night after a 7-0 shutout win, despite unfavorable weather conditions. Junior Ryan Keaffaber went the distance to toss his third complete game of the season, his second in shutout fashion, while striking out seven Purple Aces. The Sycamore offense took the early advantage, tallying eight total hits on the night.
Indiana State struck first in the second inning as senior Kaden Moore hit a double off the center field wall, just before sophomore Dane Giesler reached on a walk. The first run scored on a sophomore Tyler Friis single through the right side, as Moore came around third and was able to avoid the tag at home plate. The Sycamores scored again that inning as redshirt freshman Dane Tofteland reached safely, and senior Andrew Gutierrez hit into an out to plate Giesler.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Sycamores added another run when Friis came around to score on senior Andy DeJesus' seventh triple of the season, moving Indiana State ahead, 3-0.
The Aces threatened in the fifth inning, but the Sycamores quickly silenced their pursuit with a 6-4-3 double play.
The Sycamores' lead grew to 7-0 in the seventh inning, as the Sycamores plated four more runs. Senior Andy Young reached on an error, junior Hunter Owen was walked, and both advanced on a sacrifice from Moore. Giesler was then walked, loading the bases, just before junior Tony Rosselli singled to plate two runs. Friis then picked up a RBI single, and freshman Clay Dungan plated another run.
The Sycamores would run away with the 7-0 shutout win behind a lights-out performance from Keaffaber on the mound, and an offensive performance that chipped away at the scoreboard. Tyler Friis led the Sycamores with a 3-for-4 performance, two RBIs, a run scored, and a stolen base. Andy DeJesus finished with two hits and a RBI, while Rosselli picked up two RBIs of his own.
The Sycamores and Aces return to Bob Warn Field on Saturday to finish out the three-game series at 2:00 p.m. ET. Saturday is also Senior Day for the Sycamores, so join us as we honor our seven seniors and close out the 2016 regular season.
