BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Indiana State baseball picked up a series victory over the University of Alabama at Birmingham Saturday afternoon after rallying from a two-run deficit in the eighth to win, 10-8, at Young Memorial Field. With the win, the Sycamores moved to 11-5 on the season while UAB fell to 6-10.
 
In total, Indiana State scored six runs in the final three innings of action. Trailing the Blazers 6-5 entering the eighth, Brian Fuentes kicked off the rally with the first of three hits in the inning as he doubled down the line in left. Dominic Cusumano walked and Diego Gines singled to right to load the bases with one out. Mike Sears delivered his second RBI of the day with a single to right to tie the game before the Sycamores were gifted a run when UAB right fielder Zack Davis dropped a fly ball allowing Cusumano to score from third.
 
UAB wasted no time making up for the error as Ian Lander sent his first home run of the season out to left to begin the bottom half of the eighth to tie the game.
 
The offense once again came to life for the Sycamores in the ninth as ISU put three runners on base by way of a walk and a pair of hits. After Max Wright reached on a fielder's choice and Brian Fuentes followed with a one-out single, Cusumano came to the plate and delivered his second hit of the day – an RBI double to the gap – to score Wright and give the Sycamores a lead. ISU would get two insurance runs as Gines recorded a deep sacrifice fly to center before Cusumano came home to score on a passed ball.
 
Lefty Tyler Grauer (1-0) would close out the game for the Sycamores to pick up the win. Grauer induced a popup in the eighth to end a UAB threat and would allow one run on a hit over 1.1 innings.
 
It was a back-and-forth contest early between the two squads as runs were scored in each of the first five innings. Wright and Sears each tallied home runs in the game, both now with four on the season to lead the team.
 
ISU outhit UAB in the game 12-11 led by Wright with a 2-for-5 day with two RBIs and a pair of runs scored. Cusumano scored three runs for the Sycamores while tallying two hits and driving in a run. Urdaneta, Fuentes and Sears also added two hits each for Indiana State.
 
Battling a groin injury for much of the season, Tristan Weaver went three innings in his start, allowing five hits and four runs. The southpaw retired four Blazers on strikeouts and issued two walks. Cam Edmonson went and 1.1 innings allowing three hits and a pair of runs. Right-hander Connor Cline pitched 3.1 innings and struck out three in relief. Cline retired seven-straight Blazers from the fifth to the eighth.
 
Tanner Rusk took the loss for UAB, falling to 0-1 on the season. The right-hander allowed four hits and two runs in relief. Tyler O'Clair went seven complete in his start and gave up five runs and seven hits. Lander led UAB at the plate with a two-hit day, including a solo home run.
 
The Sycamores will look for their second series sweep of the season on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.
 
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