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Indiana State University Athletics

Gipson
8
Winner Valparaiso VALPO 5-12, 1-0 MVC
3
Indiana State INS 9-13, 0-1 MVC
Winner
Valparaiso VALPO
5-12, 1-0 MVC
8
Final
3
Indiana State INS
9-13, 0-1 MVC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Valparaiso VALPO 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 4 0 8 7 3
Indiana State INS 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 5 1

W: Lockwood, Connor (2-3) L: McEwen, Max (2-2)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Seth Montgomery | GoSycamores.com

Valparaiso rallies past Sycamores in Missouri Valley opener

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Valparaiso took advantage of an Indiana State error in the top of the third inning to break the game open and the Beacons plated four insurances runs late as the Sycamores fell in the 2025 Missouri Valley Conference opener at Bob Warn Field, 8-3.
 
The Sycamores (9-13, 0-1) took the lead in the top of the first inning courtesy of a Valparaiso (5-12, 1-0) error and Eli Gipson's RBI ground out as Carter Beck came around to score to put Indiana State ahead early.
 
Valparaiso starter Connor Lockwood (2-3) took over from there as the Beacons' starting pitcher was efficient throughout the game going 7.0 innings allowing five hits and three unearned runs, while striking out 10 in the win.
 
The Beacons took the 4-1 lead in the top of the third inning courtesy of a Sycamore error on a Valpo sacrifice bunt attempt allowing Bryan Hatch to score and tie the game up. Case Sullivan followed with a two-run single, while Thomas Cooper added a sacrifice fly later in the inning to give the visitors the three-run lead.
 
Lockwood and Indiana State starter Max McEwen (2-2) settled into a pitcher's duel over the middle frames with McEwen retiring eight in a row at one point, while Lockwood pitched around Jackson Taylor and Carlos Pena singles in the fifth and the sixth innings.
 
The Sycamores loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh as Jorge Cartagena sparked the rally beating out an infield single. A Valparaiso error put two runners on base, before Beck walked to load the bases with two outs. Gipson singled through the right side of the infield to beat the Valpo shift scoring Cartagena and Taylor to narrow the gap to 4-3, before Lockwood retired Carlos Pena on strikes to end the Indiana State rally.
 
The Beacons responded with four runs in the top of the eighth off Aaron Moss and Zac Laird as Spencer Warfield provided the big hit in the inning with a two-run bases-loaded single to left field giving Valpo the 8-3 lead.
 
Indiana State put runners on base in the eighth and ninth innings against Valparaiso reliever Ryan Kruse, but the Sycamores were unable to string together the rally to keep the game alive in falling in the conference opener.
 
Thomas Emerich doubled to highlight Indiana State's five hits in the contest. Gipson added three RBIs and a stolen base, while Taylor added a steal in the loss.
 
McEwen went 5.0 innings allowing two hits and four runs (three earned) in taking the Friday night loss. The redshirt sophomore added two walks and two hits-batsmen while striking out six. Carson Seeman was effective with 2.0 shutout innings in relief, while Moss, Laird, Gavin Morris, and Breyllin Suriel went the final 2.0 innings to close out the contest.
 
Ryan Maka had two of Valparaiso's seven hits in the win and added the Beacons' lone extra-base hit with a double to highlight the visitors' offensive. Sullivan and Warfield finished with two RBIs apiece.
 
How They Scored
  • Indiana State took the early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Carter Beck reached on a dropped fly ball by the Valparaiso centerfielder, before coming around to score on Eli Gipson's RBI ground out.
  • The Beacons took advantage of an Indiana State error in the top of the third inning to plate four runs in the frame. Kade Reinertson's sacrifice bunt was fielded by Indiana State pitcher Max McEwen, but the ball was thrown down the right field line allowing Bryan Hatch to score the first run and tie it up at 1-1.
  • Valparaiso added two more runs on Case Sullivan's RBI single through the left side scoring Reinertson and Connor Giusti, while Thomas Cooper connected on a sacrifice fly scoring Sullivan to provide the 4-1 margin.
  • Gipson drove in two more Indiana State runs in the bottom of the seventh as the junior infielder connected on a bases-loaded single through the right side of the infield scoring Jorge Cartagena and Jackson Taylor to cut the deficit down to 4-3.
  • Valparaiso responded with four runs in the top of the eighth with Kevin Denty (RBI single), Spencer Warfield (two-run single), and Hatch (RBI sacrifice fly) providing insurance and the final 8-3 result on the scoreboard.
News & Notes
  • Carlos Pena ran his on-base streak to 16 consecutive games after singling in the bottom of the sixth inning.
  • Keegan Garis' on-base streak reached 12 consecutive games after getting hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the eighth.
  • Indiana State's winning streak against Valparaiso was halted at 25 consecutive games dating back to March 31, 2007, when Valpo last topped the Sycamores, 11-2.
  • The Sycamores have posted a 46-9 record in Missouri Valley play dating back to the start of the 2023 conference season. Eight of the nine losses have come in the opening game of the series.
  • Indiana State will look to keep its conference series winning streak alive tomorrow as the Sycamores have won 19 consecutive MVC series dating back to the end of the 2022 season.   
Up Next
Indiana State continues Missouri Valley play tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader against Valparaiso set to start at 1 p.m. ET. The games will be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
 
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