TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State is set to host Ball State for a midweek non-conference matchup at Price Field on Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET. This game will also serve as the Sycamores Chain Game, with Indiana State student-athletes in attendance to pass along the chain, bringing extra energy and support to the team.
Indiana State secured a series sweep over Murray State this past weekend, earning a 2-0 victory on Friday before taking both games on Saturday, 9-5 and 16-3 (5 innings). With the sweep, the Sycamores improve to 9-19 on the season and 4-1 in conference play.
Last Time Out:
The Sycamores dominated its weekend series against Murray State, sweeping all three games with a combination of strong pitching and explosive offense.
In the series opener, Hailey Griffin delivered a stellar performance in the circle, tossing a complete-game one-hitter with seven strikeouts to lead the Sycamores to a 2-0 victory. Hannah Welch and Sophie Esposito powered the offense with solo home runs.
Game two saw Indiana State claim a 9-5 win, fueled by a bases-clearing double from Brailey Mills and clutch hits from Peyton Simmons and Sophie Esposito. Cassi Newbanks secured the win in relief, keeping Murray State in check.
The Sycamores capped off the sweep with a dominant 16-3 run-rule victory in game three, scoring six runs in both the first and third innings. Luci Kapelka's three-run homer and Madison Poulson's three-RBI triple highlighted the offensive explosion, while Lauren Sackett earned the win with a solid five-inning outing.
Sycamore Standouts:
Hannah Welch provided the first run of the series opener with a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning, her second of the season and career. Her timely shot put the Sycamores ahead and forced a pitching change for the Racers.
Welch also leads the team with a perfect 8-8 record in stolen bases.
Sophie Esposito had an outstanding week for Indiana State, she provided key offensive support with a solo home run in the fifth inning, her second of the season, to give the Sycamores a 2-0 lead in game one.
Esposito also tripled in the game, marking her second of the season. She continued her strong performance in game two with an RBI double and added an RBI single in game three, contributing to the Sycamores' offensive surge throughout the series.
Brailey Mills played a pivotal role in both games on Saturday, delivering a clutch bases-clearing double in the first inning of game two, driving in three runs, and finishing with three RBIs. She also contributed with an RBI single in Game 3, helping lead the Sycamores to a 16-3 victory.
Mills is batting .300 in 22 games, including 15 hits, 10 runs scored, one double, one triple, and six RBIs.
Luci Kapelka had a standout performance in game three, hitting a 3-run home run in the first inning, the first of the season for her and the second of her career. She also scored in the third inning as part of the Sycamores' explosive offense.
Lauren Marsicek has been a consistent presence in Indiana State's lineup, hitting .299 in 27 games, totaling 20 hits, six doubles, and seven RBIs.
Madison Poulson, hitting .269 in 26 games, continued her strong offensive performance in Game 3 this weekend, contributing a 3-RBI triple in the fourth inning and later scoring. She has 21 hits, three doubles, and five RBIs on the season.
Peyton Simmons, who has made just five appearances this season, made a significant impact this weekend. In game two, she drove in a run with an RBI single in the first inning and another with an RBI fielder's choice in the fifth. In game three, she contributed two more RBIs—one from an RBI single and another from a walk—helping to boost the Sycamores' offense.
In the Circle:
Hailey Griffin,
Lauren Sackett, and
Cassi Newbanks each picked up a win this weekend, contributing to Indiana State's strong pitching performances.
Griffin earned her win with an incredible complete-game performance, allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 7 batters. She shut down the opposition, retiring the first 9 batters and holding the Racers hitless until the fourth inning. Her dominant outing helped her team secure a 2-0 victory.
Griffin started game two against the Racers, throwing 3.1 innings and allowing three hits and three runs (one earned) while striking out five batters.
Newbanks earned her third win of the season with 3.2 innings of relief. She gave up five hits and two earned runs, striking out one batter. Her solid performance in relief helped secure the Sycamores' 9-5 victory.
Sackett earned her first win of the season in game three with a solid 5-inning performance. She allowed six hits and three runs, walking three batters and striking out four. Her strong outing helped lead the Sycamores to a 16-3 victory, securing the series finale win.
Scouting Ball State:
Ball State enters Tuesday's matchup with an 18-8 overall record and a 4-2 mark in conference play. The Cardinals are coming off a MAC series win over Toledo, earning a 13-8 victory on Friday, falling 17-14 in extra innings on Saturday, and securing the series with a 9-8 win on Sunday.
McKayla Timmons has been a driving force for Ball State this season, boasting a .516 batting average through 26 games. She has racked up 32 hits, including five doubles, 1 triple, and 11 home runs, along with 34 RBIs.
Ella Whitney (11-2) has been a reliable pitcher for Ball State this season, appearing in 15 games and logging 84.1 innings in the circle. She has allowed 76 hits and 24 earned runs, resulting in a 1.99 ERA. Whitney has struck out 41 batters while walking 27.
Up Next:
The Sycamores will hit the road for a three-game MVC matchup against Drake in Des Moines, Iowa. The games are scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.
