CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – For any team in the course of the season, the ability fight back against adversity is an important building block. Indiana State may have just passed that test early on during this 2019 season.
 
The Sycamores (5-1) scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to overcome a one-run, extra-inning deficit for a 6-5 (8 inning) win over Tennessee Tech at the Chattanooga Challenge.
 
If only that was the lone moment of adversity to overcome.
 
A contested call with two outs in the fifth inning allowed Tennessee Tech to take a two-run lead in a sequence of events that would eventually lead to extra innings. An emphatic difference of opinion on the play – which resulted in an obstruction call at home that allowed a second run to score rather than end the half-inning, led to Indiana State Head Coach Mike Perniciaro's dismissal for the remainder of the game.
 
"I told the team that I am going to fight for you and I want you to fight for each other," Indiana State Head Coach Mike Perniciaro said.
 
In the end, the controversial play would matter not.
 
Utilizing the international tiebraker rule, Tennessee Tech would rip a one-out double down the left field line to take the lead. But that runner would get stranded at second. In the bottom half of the inning, Indiana State – united by a common cause – would rally back.
 
Brooke Mann laid down a sacrifice bunt that scored Leslie Sims and Bella Peterson hit a walk-off RBI single to center to complete the Sycamore comeback in extra innings.
 
Arielle Blankenship (3-1), who pitched four innings in relief, was credited with the win after allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits while striking out three. Haeli Bryson (1-2) pitched a complete game for Tennessee Tech and was charged with the loss after allowing six runs (three earned) on six hits in 7 1/3 innings.
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Bella Peterson, reminiscent of the musical Hamilton, did not throw away her shot. She may have just been 1-for-4 at the plate but her one hit carried great weight as it was a walk-off single to center that scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. For that, she gets our gratitude and this honor.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
Beware the speedy Sycamores, and it's tough to pinpoint just one. That is because not only did ISU steal four bases in the game but they were stolen by four different Sycamore base runners.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD

• Win: Arielle Blankenship, Indiana State (3-1)
• Loss: Haeli Bryson, Tennessee Tech (1-2)
• Save: None

RECORDS UPDATE

• Indiana State: 5-1 (3-0 Neutral)
• Tennessee Tech: 3-5 (3-3 Neutral)

NOTABLES

• Indiana State is now 2-1 all-time against Tennessee Tech. The Sycamores are 2-0 against the Golden Eagles under the direction of Mike Perniciaro.
• The Sycamores are now 2-2 in extra innings with Mike Perniciaro at the helm.
• Leslie Sims successfully stole a base, making her 6-for-6 on the year. She has now played in 91 consecutive games without being caught stealing.  
• For the second time this season, ISU stole four bases in a game.

For the latest information on the Sycamore Softball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.