Ashley Dickerson
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State Baseball (35-20, 13-8 MVC) enjoyed a four-run seventh inning to avoid elimination and secure a lead that would result in a 7-1 win over the Wichita State. Junior Ryan Keaffaber tossed a complete game for the fourth time this season, allowing only four Shocker hits. Junior Tony Rosselli went yard for the second time in in the tournament with a two-run home run in the sixth to start the scoring, his 10th homer of the season.
On Day One of the 2016 MVC tournament, both the Sycamores and Shockers struggled to string together timely hits. The two teams battled it out in elimination play, as both teams were scoreless for the five innings before scoring in the sixth.
The Sycamores struck first, taking their first lead of the tournament when Rosselli blasted his second two-run home run of the tournament, his 10th four-bagger of the season. The Shockers answered in the bottom half of the inning with a solo shot off the top of the wall, cutting the Sycamores' lead in half.
Indiana State busted open the scoring in the seventh inning, batting around the order and scoring four runs to move ahead of the Shockers, 6-1. After both sophomores Tyler Friis and Dane Giesler singled on back-to-back at bats, senior Andrew Gutierrez squared to bunt and reached safely as the Shocker pitcher threw the ball into left field on a failed attempt to catch Friis at third, as Friis got up and came around to score. Senior Andy DeJesus then singled on a bunt and advanced to third on another Shocker throwing error, plating Giesler and Gutierrez. DeJesus made his way home as junior Hunter Owen picked up a RBI, giving the Sycamores the 6-1 advantage.
The Sycamores did not stop there, as they picked up another insurance run on a RBI double from the bat of senior Andy Young, moving ahead of the Shockers, 7-1.
Keaffaber went the distance, yet again, retiring nine of the last 10 Shocker batters. Rosselli led the Sycamores at the plate for the second day in-a-row, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a home run, a walk, and a run scored. Young tallied a 2-for-3 day, as he picked up a RBI, a run scored, and two walks. Giesler and DeJesus added two hits each, adding to the Sycamores' 10 hits.
The host Sycamores will advance to Day Three of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, where they will face the loser of game eight between Missouri State and Bradley on Friday at 12:30 p.m. ET. All tournament games can be seen on The Valley on ESPN3. Check out the Sycamores on Twitter and Facebook for all of the latest news.
