BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Emil Estrella homered twice and drove in five RBIs in leading an Indiana State offense that featured all nine players in the starting lineup hitting safely as the Sycamores topped Western Kentucky on Saturday night, 11-6.
 
Estrella connected on a grand slam in the top of the second inning for his first home run of the 2026 and added his second in the eighth inning to lead an Indiana State (7-7) offense. The Sycamores scored runs in five consecutive innings from the fourth through the eighth inning in evening the series against the Hilltoppers (8-8).
 
Ty Brooks (3-0) picked up the win on the mound as the sophomore right-hander went 5.0 innings allowing four hits and three runs while striking out four in his team-leading third win of the season. Brooks bounced back from a three-run second inning to retire eight of the final 10 batters he faced before turning the ball over to the bullpen.
 
Caden Miller recorded his first home run of the 2026 season with a solo shot in the seventh inning, while Eddie Alonso, Emil Estrella, Nick Sutherlin, Mason Roell, and Jeremy Martinez all doubled in the win. Martinez added his first triple of the year.
 
Owen Roberts tied his career-high going 3.2 innings on the mound after taking over in the sixth inning. The freshman surrendered seven hits and three runs while striking out four, before turning the ball over to Aaron Moss for the final strikeout to end the contest.
 
Austin Haller and Reid Howard recorded three hits apiece for the Hilltoppers, while Haller, Howard (2), Daniel Stewart, and Parker Coley all doubled in the loss.
 
Dawson Hill (1-2) took the loss on the mound after allowing four hits and five runs while striking out two in 3.0 innings. Conner Wolf, Gage Olsen, Declan Francis, Sam Frizzi, and Kaine Samuels closed out the game on the mound.
 
How They Scored

• Indiana State took the early lead in the top of the second inning as Nomar Garcia singled home Mason Roell, before Emil Estella connected on a grand slam over the wall in left field to make it a 5-0 Sycamore lead.
• Western Kentucky took three back in the bottom of the second inning as Daniel Stewart connected on a two-run double down the right field line, before Parker Coley drilled an RBI double down the left field line to make it a 5-3 ballgame.
• The Sycamores added to their lead in the fourth inning as Jeremy Martinez tripled and the scored on Nomar Garcia's RBI groundout to go up 6-3.
• Indiana State utilized small ball in the top of the fifth inning with Caleb Niehaus' bunt single scoring Nick Sutherlin to go up 7-3.
• It was an 8-3 game in the top of the sixth with Emil Estrella scoring on a WKU fielding error on Nick Sutherlin's grounder.
• Indiana State went up 10-3 in the top of the seventh inning with Caden Miller connecting on a solo home run to left center, before Mason Roell and Jeremy Martinez recorded back-to-back doubles to go ahead by seven.
• Emil Estrella put Indiana State up 11-3 in the top of the eighth as the senior right fielder drilled his second home run of the game over the left center wall.
• WKU scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to provide the final margin as Lane Arroyos connected on a two-run single, while Reid Howard connected on an RBI single to make it an 11-6 final score.

News and Notes

• Carter Beck extended his on-base streak to 19 consecutive games after connecting on a single in the top of the first inning.
• Emil Estrella recorded his first multi-homer game in his Indiana State career and his first two home runs of the 2026 season.
• Estrella's two-homer game marked the Sycamores' first two-homer game since Nick Sutherlin homered twice against Illinois State on May 16, 2025.
• Estrella's grand slam marked Indiana State's second grand slam of the 2026 season and first since Carter Beck connected in the second inning against Miami (Ohio) on February 20.
• Indiana State scored double-digits for the fifth time in the 2026 season and have posted a 4-1 record in those games.
• Indiana State's five doubles on Saturday night marked a season-high for the Sycamores with Eddie Alonso, Emil Estrella, Nick Sutherlin, Mason Roell, and Jeremy Martinez all connecting in the win.
• Ty Brooks (3-0) picked up his team-leading third win in the 2026 season after going 5.0 innings on Saturday afternoon.
• Brooks has posted a 20:5 strikeout-to-walk ratio on the year allowing opponents to hit just .129 from the plate.
• Owen Roberts tied his season-high with 3.2 innings pitched on Saturday night as the freshman posted a season-high four strikeouts. 

Up Next
Indiana State and Western Kentucky close out the weekend series on Sunday afternoon with first pitch set for 4 p.m. ET at Nick Denes Field. The game will be carried live on 105.5 The Legend.
 
Indiana State Baseball Season Tickets on Sale Now
Season tickets for the 2026 Indiana State baseball season are now on sale as the Sycamores head into their second season under Head Coach Tracy Archuleta. The Sycamores will play 21 home games inside Bob Warn Field this season, starting on March 4 against Lindenwood.
 
Reserved chairback season tickets can be purchased for $110. General admission season tickets will go on sale as well with adult ($75), seniors ($55), and youth ($40) tickets also being available for purchase. There will be a $5 surcharge added to those wanting tickets printed.
 
The Sycamores have teamed up with Pacesetter Sports and the Spirit Shop for the third consecutive season for a season ticket deal. Fans will receive a $50 Pacesetter gift card for each $110 reserved chairback season ticket, $35 gift card for each $75 general admission season ticket, $25 gift card for each $55 senior general admission ticket, and $20 gift card for each $40 youth season ticket sold.
 
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on the Sycamore Baseball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from both the App Store and the Google Play Store.