DALLAS – Following a 32-run shootout a night ago, Indiana State and Dallas Baptist settled down on the mound in game two of the three-game set Saturday as runs became a premium. The Patriots walked away with a 3-2 win and sole possession of second-place in the Missouri Valley Conference.
 
Dallas Baptist (23-15, 5-3 MVC) scored in the second inning on an RBI groundout with the bases loaded and would not score again until the eighth after bringing in two runs to take a 3-2 lead.
 
The Sycamores were held scoreless up until the fifth inning until sophomore Clay Dungan drove in two runs on a double to the gap in right. That would be all the scoring for the Trees in the game as they left five runners on base.
 
After sitting down nine of the previous 11 batters he faced, right-hander Tyler Ward issued a controversial hit-by-pitch to lead off the eighth inning in what would be his final batter. Following a call to the bullpen, DBU's Evan Sandmann delivered the game-tying RBI on a triple to right. Ray Gaither knocked in the go-ahead run with a pinch-hit single to left.
 
Seth Elledge closed out the game for the Patriots in the ninth for his seventh save of the season.
 
In what was an outstanding effort from second-year pitcher Tyler Ward, the Santa Claus, Indiana native walked away with a no decision after going seven complete and allowing two runs to the Patriots. The right-hander struck out four in the game, but hit three DBU batters in the game.
 
Senior Ryan Keaffaber was charged with the loss, falling to 2-4 on the season after DBU scored the winning run in the eighth.
 
Jimmy Fouse (2-0) recorded the win after going 3.1 scoreless innings in relief. Jameson Hannahs led the way for DBU with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate. Sandmann had three hits and scored a pair of runs for the Patriots.
 
Indiana State was outhit in the game 11-3 with Tyler Friis, Tony Rosselli and Dungan each picking up base hits. DBU stranded 12 in the game.
 
The teams will wrap up the three-game set Sunday at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT as right-hander Will Kincanon will toe the mound. The game will be carried nationally on ESPNU with ESPN's college baseball broadcast crew of Steve Lenox and Mike Rooney calling the action.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Baseball team, be sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.