TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- On the strength of a combined 4-of-7 day at the plate with five RBI from Bella Peterson and the strong opening game start in the circle from Gabbi Schnaiter, the Sycamores were able to earn a split with visiting IUPUI as Indiana State opened the home portion of their schedule. ISU took Game No. 1 by the score of 9-2 but fell 6-3 in the nightcap. The two games were held in front of 245 fans at Price Field.

The Sycamores moved to 9-10 on the season while IUPUI is now 6-20. With the win in today's opener, the Sycamores have have now won seven of their last eight home openers.

In the first game, Bella Peterson went 3-of-4 at the plate and drove in three runs while scoring two more herself as part of the 9-2 win. Starting pitcher Gabbi Schnaiter went 5.1 innings, allowing just five hits and two runs with a strikeout. Bailey Martin was perfect at the plate with a 4-of-4 mark and added one RBi as well as three runs scored. 

Martin recorded one-out single to center field and stole second base. Peterson hit a deep double to center field to score Martin to stake the Sycamores to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. ISU added another in the second on a Brooke Mann home run -- a line driver laser shot over the left field wall for the 2-0 advantage.

IUPUI gained a run back in the fourth inning on a two-out single by Sabrina Trevino which scored McKenzie Loge and got the Jaguars back within 2-1. The Sycamores broke the game opener in the bottom of the fifth inning when Becky Malchow tripled down the right field line on a 2-0 pitch. Leslie Sims then reached on an outfield single and moved to second with her 13th stolen base of the season. Simms has now gone 104 consecutive games without being caught stealing. Martin then singled  while scored Malchow and a second run scored as Martin moved towards second base. Peterson then singled right back up the middle to score Martin,. The scoring was rounded out with two outs when Mallory Marsicek reached on an infield single which scored Peterson for the 6-1 advantage.

The Jaguars would draw within 6-2, but ISU plated three more in the sixth inning -- all with two outs. Martin singled to right center and stole second base. She moved to third on a passed ball before scoring on another Peterson double. Then Mycaela Miller drilled her first career home run on a deep home run to left field for the 9-2 advantage.

Arielle Blankenship finished out the final inning and two thirds and did not allow a hit as the Sycamores earned the victory.

In game two, Shaye Barton was 3-of-4 at the plate with a RBI but the Sycamores fell 6-3. Blakenship gave up five runs (four earned) over the first two innings and Tessa Sims allowed only one run with a pair of strike outs over the three. Abbey Kruzel pitched the final two innings, allowing just one hit.

IUPUI scored all six of their runs in the first four innings before the Sycamores got half of them back in the bottom of the fifth.

Olivia Patton who started the second game in centerfield, recorded a one-out infield single. After Leslie Sims reached on a fielder's choice, Martin walked to put runners at first and second. Peterson continued her strong day at the plate with a triple to deep center field to drive in both Martin and Sims to cut the deficit down to 6-2. Barton then singled to right center which scored Peterson to make it 6-3 and give the Sycamores a chance. After Amanda Guercio singled to put runners on the corners, Miller hit a sharp grounder to third but was not able to reach to end the threat.

Rebecca Gibbs reached on a hit by pitch in the sixth but two well struck balls found defenders. Peterson would walk in the seventh, but IUPUI made the plays to end the game. Amanda Melzoni threw a complete game for IUPUI, allowing eight hits and three runs with a pair of strikeouts. The Sycamores left eight runners on base in the game.

ISU remains at home this weekend as they open Missouri Valley Conference play against Northern Iowa. A doubleheader is set for Saturday, March 16 beginning at Noon (ET) with both games appearing on ESPN+. The third and final game of the set is set for Sunday, March 17 at 11 a.m. (ET).