PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Indiana State baseball dropped its Saturday contest with Pittsburgh 8-2 at the Snowbird Baseball Classic in Port Charlotte, Fla. With the loss, the Sycamores move to 1-1 on the season while Pittsburgh picks up its first win of the year.
 
Pitt outhit Indiana State on the afternoon 10-8 while Max Wright led the Sycamores at the plate with a pair of hits, including a double.
 
Pitt (1-1) jumped into the scoring column first with an RBI single from Bryce Hulett in the second inning before Connor Cline was able to get out of the early jam on the mound. The Sycamores answered back with the tying run in the bottom half of the inning when newcomer Seth Gergley ripped a ball into left field to score Wright from third after the designated hitter led off the inning with a double.
 
Indiana State took the lead two innings later after Diego Gines singled in Sean Ross from third with a single to left field.
 
Pittsburgh's Nico Popa would tie the game once again in the top of the fifth inning with an RBI single to centerfield. The Panthers busted the game open in the sixth inning with three runs. After putting two runners on base, Pitt forced an ISU pitching change as Zach Frey entered the game with two on and two outs. Jordan Anderson singled in the go-ahead run before Sky Duff doubled in two more runs before running into the final out of the frame at third base, but not before extending the UP lead to 5-2.  
 
Right-hander Connor Cline made the start for the Sycamores and tossed just two innings of action. Cline struck out three but walked two and allowed three base hits in the no decision effort. Cam Edmonson (0-1) pitched 3.2 innings of relief for Indiana State. He faced 15 batters, allowing two hits and three earned runs in his season debut.
 
Stephen Henson went four innings strong out of the bullpen for Pitt to secure the save. Matt Gilbertson secured the victory for the Panthers after tossing five innings in his start. He struck out three while giving up five hits and a pair of earned runs.
 
Popa led the way for Pitt with a three-hit day. Duff added two hits to go along with a pair of RBIs.
 
The two squads will look to secure a series win on Sunday with a scheduled noon first pitch. The game will air on FloBaseball while live stats and Twitter updates will also be available.
 
For the latest information on Sycamore Baseball, be sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.