CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Indiana State stranded 17 runners on base in the midweek finale Wednesday evening at Hennon Stadium as the team dropped its first contest of 2019 to Western Carolina, 10-9.
 
The Sycamores (7-1) loaded the bases in the ninth inning but a strikeout of Spencer Wiskus ended the rally and ISU's seven-game winning streak to open the season. In total, ISU left the bases loaded three times on the night, including twice of the first five innings.
 
Indiana State left five runners on base in the final two frames and finished the game just 1-for-8 with the bases loaded, 4-of-22 with runners on base and 1-for-12 with two outs.
 
ISU jumped out to a 6-0 lead after batting around in the second inning while recording just one base hit. The Sycamores used a bevy of walks (8) and hit by pitches (7) to keep the pressure on the Catamounts throughout the game as ISU was able to tally just six base hits en route to their nine runs.
 
Following the outburst of Sycamore runs in the top of the second, Western Carolina (5-2) answered back quickly with four runs of their own in the bottom half of the second to go along with five more runs in the third to jump out to a 9-6 lead.
 
The Sycamores took advantage of an error in the fourth to score a run before tying the game in the fifth when Mitch Barrow and Chris Ayers were able to draw bases loaded walks. WCU would take the lead for good in the sixth on a sacrifice fly as Evan Giles would be charged the loss (0-1) after allowing the run in two innings on the mound.
 
In what was a scheduled staff day on the mound for both teams, several Indiana State pitchers made their debuts in the blue and white. Left-hander Max Klein toed the mound to start the game and went two innings allowing three runs.
 
Austin Moralis also made his debut, going just two-thirds of an inning and giving up four runs. Will Buraconak allowed a hit and a run in one and a third innings. Tyler Ward kept the Sycamores in the game after tossing the final two innings. The right-hander allowed just one base hit in his outing.
 
Roby Enriquez and Max Wright were the lone Sycamores to record more than a hit in the outing.
 
Blake Therrian (1-0) was credited with the victory in relief after going two innings and allowing a pair of hits while Jacob Corn earned his first save of the season after pitching the ninth.
 
Indiana State welcomes Austin Peay to Bob Warn Field for its home opener. Game one of the three-game series is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET Friday.
 
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