BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Western Kentucky took advantage of an Indiana State throwing error in the bottom of the seventh inning to plate four runs as the Sycamores fell in the series finale at Nick Denes Field on Sunday afternoon, 7-4.
 
The Hilltoppers (8-7) broke open a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning after loading the bases with two outs, aided by a throwing error. Camden Ross brought across the go-ahead run after getting hit by a pitch from Indiana State (6-7) reliever Ryan Karst (0-1), before Parker Coley connected on a three-run double down the left field line to break the game open.
 
The Sycamores were unable to rally back late against WKU reliever Jude Favela (2-0) with Jorge Cartagena's pinch-hit solo home run with two outs in the ninth the lone blemish over his 3.0-inning stint to secure the Western Kentucky win.
 
Indiana State battled early with Carter Beck connecting on a pair of doubles and scoring twice during Mason Roell (RBI single, RBI groundout) at-bats. Jeremy Martinez added an RBI double scoring Roell in the contest to make it a 3-3 game in the top of the sixth inning.
 
Western Kentucky was aided by a pair of early home runs from Daniel Stewart (solo) and Camden Ross (two-run) against Indiana State starter Grant Parson to keep the game even.
 
Carter Beck finished with two of Indiana State's nine hits in the contest, while four Sycamores overall combined to hit five doubles in the loss. Cartagena added his second home run of the season in a pinch-hit appearance in the ninth inning.
 
Grant Parson went 4.2 innings allowing five hits and three runs while striking out five overall in the game. Ryan Karst allowed three hits and four unearned runs while striking out two in 2.0 innings, while Hunter Small shut down the Hilltopper rally late in 1.1 innings of hitless relief.
 
Reid Howard had two of WKU's eight hits, while Camden Ross and Parker Coley had three RBIs apiece in the win.
 
Jude Favela worked 3.0 innings in the relief outing allowing two hits and one run while striking out three in recording his second win of the season. Zach Serup went the first 3.0 innings allowing one hit while striking out four, while Nathan Lawson worked 3.0 innings allowing six hits and three runs.
 
How They Scored

• Daniel Stewart opened the scoring for Western Kentucky in the bottom of the third inning with a solo home run to left field to put the Hilltoppers up 1-0.
• The Sycamores responded with a run in the top of the fourth to even the score as Carter Beck doubled, before coming around to score on Mason Roell's RBI groundout to make it a 1-1 game.
• Camden Ross swung the lead back to WKU in the bottom of the fourth inning with a two-run home run to left center scoring Lane Arroyos to put the Hilltoppers ahead 3-1.
• Indiana State tied the game back up in the top of the sixth inning as Mason Roell drove in Carter Beck with an RBI single in the inning, before Jeremy Martinez's double down the left field line brought around Roell to make it a 3-3 ballgame.
• WKU plated four runs in the bottom of the seventh as the Hilltoppers took advantage of an Indiana State error to go up 7-3. Camden Ross was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in the first run, before Parker Coley connected on a three-run double down the left field line clearing the bases for the big hit in the frame.
• Jorge Cartagena connected on a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning to provide the final scoring margin of 7-4.

News and Notes

• Carter Beck extended his on-base streak to 20 consecutive games with a pair of doubles on Sunday afternoon.
• Jorge Cartagena connected on his second home run of the 2026 season and first since going deep on February 14 against North Carolina State.
• The Sycamores hit five doubles for the second consecutive game and 12 overall over the weekend series following Sunday afternoon's game. Carter Beck (2), Eddie Alonso, Jeremy Martinez, and Caleb Niehaus all connected on Sunday.
• Grant Parson struck out a season-high five batters over 4.2 innings on Sunday afternoon.
• Indiana State's pitching staff surrendered just one walk on Sunday afternoon, equaling a season low as Grant Parson, Ryan Karst, and Hunter Small issued just one free pass on the day. 

Up Next
Indiana State heads to Nashville, Tenn. and Hawkins Field on Tuesday, March 10, for a midweek contest against Vanderbilt University. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. ET and will be carried live on SEC+ and 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.